Protect Yourself From Foodborne Illnesses

Foodborne illnesses, caused by pathogens such as salmonella and E. Coli, affect about 9 million people a year. It is worse during the warmer months because there are more outside events with a greater potential for unsafe food handling practices. Food is left outside in the heat longer and there isn't a kitchen with a sink to wash hands and utensils. The foods most likely to be contaminated are eggs, leafy green vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and seeds. In order to protect yourself form food borne illnesses, there are some basic safety tips to follow: Always wash your hands and all surfaces thoroughly with warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds, do not eat raw eggs, wash fruits before cutting, wash vegetables before eating, eat roasted vs raw nuts, do not store produce and meat together, and use a cooler for outside event. Also, watch the news for all food recalls to avoid getting sick.