Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Author: Shannon Miller Lifestyle

Do you believe something you have eaten is making you sick?

Food poisoning, also known as food borne illness is all too common, and food poisioning rates become alarmingly high during the summer. 

In some cases, food borne bacteria can have devastating effects on children, elderly, and pregnant women since those populations are considered “at-risk” and account for at least 90% of listeriosis bacteria cases; 21% of people with this bacteria died. If you feel you have a severe case of food poisoning such as symptoms lasting more than 24 hours, please call your doctor or have someone take you to the emergency room quickly to avoid dehydration. Drink water and watered down Gatorade (the sugar content can be too much aggravation), and try to eat bland foods such as crackers or potatoes.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning Can Include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Pain
• Blood in Stool
• Fever and Chills
• Other Flu-Like Symptoms

Food borne illness is caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms, including various bacteria, viruses and parasites, or their toxins are the most common causes of food borne illness. Food can be contaminated at any point from its origination to your consumption.

Preventing Food Borne Illness:

While you may not be able to completely prevent food poisoning, it is imperative to follow safe food handling practices while storing and preparing food.

In order to fight food borne illness always remember these tips:

• Wash hands and surfaces frequently.
• Don’t cross contaminate.
• Cook to proper temperatures.
• Cool leftovers promptly.

See the USDA for more specific information on safe food handling and different types of food borne illnesses.

Buyer Beware:

In recent years, as the US consumer demand for meat products, fresh fruits, and vegetables has expanded, it has required food distributors to import products from other countries. It has also caused farmers to rush products to market that may not be ready for human consumption. This has resulted in an alarming rise in the frequency of food contamination and resulting food poisoning and sickness to our population. To add to this problem, there does not appear to be an adequate amount of food inspectors charged with the obligation of keeping our food supply safe.

Recent examples of this problem include:

• Contaminated bag spinach imported from Mexico.
• Contaminated peanut butter processed in Georgia plants with contaminated equipment.
• Ground beef contaminated with E. coli from packing plants.
• Alfalfa sprouts contaminated with dirty water on the farm.

The attorneys at Ossi & Najem have experience in dealing with food borne illness cases. If a family member or loved one has fallen ill as a result of eating contaminated food products, please feel free to contact the firm to discuss your options.