Food Safety and Foodborne Diseases
There are many disease-causing agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be spread by food. Foodborne illness is estimated to result in as many as 48 million cases of disease in the United States each year. Most foodborne illnesses cause gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Many foodborne pathogens also can be acquired through recreational or drinking water, from contact with animals or their environment, or through person-to-person spread.
Important bacterial sources of foodborne illness in Oklahoma include Salmonella and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Norovirus infection is the most common diarrheal illness in the United States and is often referred to as the “24-hour stomach flu.” However, most norovirus infections are thought to be spread from person to person, rather than from food. Another important, but less common, virus that can be spread by food is hepatitis A. Most infections with hepatitis A are spread from person to person; five percent or less of infections are caused by contaminated food.
In the past, parasites such as Trichinella and tapeworm were important sources of infection in the United States. Because of improved prevention and control, consumption of domestic livestock animals in this country no longer presents a disease threat for these parasites. Two parasites that continue to cause illness in Oklahoma are Giardia and Cryptosporidium; these parasites are spread in water, from person to person, but only rarely in food.
Disease causing organisms may be present on products when purchased. Raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs should be considered contaminated. Fresh produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes, or strawberries may also have organisms present. Foods can become cross-contaminated with organisms transferred from raw products, meat juices, or other contaminated products. A food handler’s hands, if not kept clean can also contaminate the food.
How to prevent foodborne diseases:
Clean: Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards before and after contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water for 20 seconds. Wash your hands before touching food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching pets.
- Wash cutting boards, counters, dishes, and utensils with hot, soapy water. Do this after working with each food item.
- Use paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, wash them often in the hot cycle of the washing machine or in hot, soapy water.
Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods such as fruits and vegetables.
- Keep these foods away from each other in your shopping cart and in your fridge.
- Use a separate cutting board for raw meat products and ready-to-eat foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Wash your hands after touching raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils with hot, soapy water.
- Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
Cook: Use a food thermometer - you can’t tell food is cooked safely by how it looks!
- Use a food thermometer which measures the internal temperature of cooked meat, poultry and egg dishes, to make sure that the food is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Cook roasts and steaks to at least 145°F.
- Whole poultry should reach 165°F.
- Cook ground meats to at least 160°F.
- Cook eggs until the yolk and whites are firm. Avoid using recipes in which eggs remain raw or are partly cooked.
- Cooked fish should flake easily with a fork.
- Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a boil when you reheat them. Leftovers should reach 165°F when reheated.
- Be careful if you use a microwave oven. Follow microwave instructions for foods to ensure adequate cooking. Make sure that the food has no cold spots since cold spots let disease causing pathogens live. Cover the food and stir it for even cooking. Rotate the dish once or twice while cooking.
Chill: Refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful disease causing pathogens.
- Set your fridge to 40°F or colder. The freezer should be kept at 0°F. Check the readings once a month with a fridge thermometer.
- Put all cooked and leftover food in the fridge or freezer within two hours.
- Never thaw food by simply taking it out of the fridge! There are three safe ways to thaw food
- In the refrigerator
- Under cold running water
- In the microwave according to directions for the food
- Marinate foods in the refrigerator.
- Divide large amounts of leftovers into small, shallow dishes with covers so they can cool quickly in the refrigerator.
- Don’t pack the refrigerator too full. The cool air must flow freely to keep food safe.
Ill: If you have been sick with diarrhea or vomiting, do not prepare food for at least 24 hours after your symptoms have stopped. Remember to also cover your cough and wash your hands before returning to food preparation.
Food Holiday Safety
This holiday season remain healthy by following a few safety tips:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing any foods.
- Do not prepare food if you are sick. Wait until 24 hours after your symptoms have stopped before preparing food.
- Allow enough time for a frozen turkey to defrost. For detailed information on defrosting your turkey please refer to the Holiday Cooking Safety Fact Sheet.
- Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food items. Your turkey should be a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- Within two hours of the meal, refrigerate any remaining foods to prevent harmful germs from multiplying quickly.
- Split left overs into small shallow containers so food will cool quickly in the refrigerator.
Holiday Cooking Resources:
Holiday Cooking Safety Fact Sheet (248k.pdf)
Holiday Turkey Tips Basics (541k.pdf)
Holiday Turkey Tips Cook Times (648k.pdf)
Minimum Cooking Temperatures (FoodSafety)
Countdown to the Thanksgiving Holiday (USDA)
Turkey Time (CDC)
4th of July Food Safety (1M.pdf)
ADS Foodborne Disease Resources:
Food Safety Fact Sheet (21k.pdf)
Produce Safety Fact Sheet (17k.pdf)
Hand Hygiene Fact Sheet (48k.pdf)
Packing a Safe School Lunch Fact Sheet (146k.pdf)
Packing a Safe School Lunch Infographic
Empaque de un Almuerzo Escolar Seguro Infogrphíca
Food Safety During Storms (714k.pdf)
Sharing Food Safely Infographic
Manténgase Seguro Cuando Comparta Comida Infographíca
External Food Safety and Foodborne Disease Resources:
Keep Food Safe from Bacteria (Fight Bac)
Federal Food Safety Information (USDHHS)
Foodborne Diseases (CDC)
Foodborne Disease (FDA)
Keeping Bag Lunches Safe (USDA)
Barbecue Food Safety (USDA)
Please use the links for additional information about selected foodborne diseases:
Enterohemorrhagic E. coli and E. coli 0157:H7