Summers are here, and so is the craving for delicious food! But hold on, did you know that contaminated food can easily turn your summer fun into a nightmare?
We all know to avoid stale food, but what exactly does that mean in terms of food poisoning? And how serious can food poisoning actually be? Let’s dive in and understand everything you need to know to keep yourself safe and healthy this summer!
What is Food Poisoning?
First things first, let’s clear up some confusion. You might have heard terms like ‘foodborne illness’ and ‘food poisoning’ used interchangeably. While they’re related, they are not the same:
- Foodborne illness is a broad term for any illness caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
- Food poisoning is a specific type of foodborne illness. It happens when you eat food contaminated with harmful toxins produced by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Think of it as a quicker, often more intense reaction to these nasty toxins.
Is Food Poisoning Always Serious?
Now, about how serious food poisoning can be: While many mild cases resolve on their own within a few days, it’s important to note that severe poisoning can be quite serious and even life-threatening. It really depends on the type of germ, the amount you have consumed, and your overall health. Always pay close attention to your symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning can hit you with a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Watch out for these common signs:
- Upset stomach
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood)
- Pain in the stomach and cramps
- Fever and headache
- In some cases, you might also experience rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, confusion, blurred vision, or muscle weakness.
Classification of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can range from mild to severe, depending on the symptoms. Let’s look at it in detail in the following table:
Mild Food Poisoning | Severe Food Poisoning |
Nausea | High fever (temperature over 101.5°F) |
Vomiting | Blood in stool or vomit |
Abdominal Pain | Severe Abdominal pain |
Diarrhoea | Rapid heartbeat |
Headache | Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing |
Low-grade fever | Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly |
Fatigue | Blurred vision or double vision |
Muscle ache | Muscle weakness or paralysis |
Loss of appetite | Severe Dehydration |
Mild dehydration causes dry mouth or thirst | These symptoms might indicate a serious infection or complication, such as sepsis or organ failure. |
Symptoms of mild food poisoning usually begin within a few hours to a day or two after eating a food & last for a few days to a week. Most people recover without specific treatment. To manage the symptoms, it is important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. | If you experience any of the symptoms after consuming contaminated food, seek immediate medical attention. |
What are the Causes of Food Poisoning?
Clinically, there are two types of food poisoning:
- Bacterial (viral/parasite) Food Poisoning: This is the most common type. It happens when you ingest food contaminated with living bacteria (like E. coli or Salmonella, which are common culprits in India, especially during monsoon season), viruses, parasites, or their toxins.
- Non-bacterial Food Poisoning: Less common but still dangerous. This can be caused by chemical contaminants like arsenic, mercury, pesticides, or even naturally occurring toxins found in certain plants and seafood.
Common Food Poisoning Pathogens
Pathogen | Symptoms | Incubation Period | Foods Responsible | Means of Transmission |
Staphylococcus aureus | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | 1-6 hours | By infected individuals | Contaminated food or water, person-to-person |
Campylobacter | Diarrhea (often bloody), fever, abdominal cramps | 2-5 days | Undercooked chicken, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water | Contaminated food or water, cross-contamination |
Salmonella | Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps | 12-72 hours | Poultry, eggs, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables | Contaminated food or water, cross-contamination |
Listeria | Fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea | 1-70 days | Unpasteurized dairy products, deli meats, and hot dogs | Contaminated food or water, cross-contamination |
Clostridium perfringens | Diarrhea, abdominal cramps | 6-24 hours | Meat, particularly beef and poultry | Contaminated food or water |
Escherichia coli (E.Coli) | Diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, vomiting | 2-5 days | Beef, produce grown in contaminated soil | Contaminated food or water, person-to-person |
Giardia | Diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, bloating | 1-2 weeks | Raw, undercooked food | Contaminated water, raw or undercooked foods |
Cryptosporidium | Diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration | 2-10 days | Contaminated water, raw or undercooked foods | Contaminated food or water, person-to-person |
Norovirus | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps | 12-48 hours | Shellfish, salads, and contaminated water | Contaminated food or water, person-to-person, aerosolized vomit |
Hepatitis A | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever | 15-50 days | Shellfish, produce, and contaminated water | Contaminated food or water, person-to-person |
Table Source: Food Poisoning in Monsoon- Management of Individual Cases, Outbreaks & Prevention
What is ‘Stale Food’ in the context of Food Poisoning?
Stale food is not just the food that tastes a bit off! In terms of food poisoning, stale food is referred to as food that has been left at room temperature for too long, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply rapidly and produce toxins.
This is why proper storage is key, especially during warm summers! Cooked food that’s left out for more than two hours becomes a high-risk item, even if it looks and smells fine.
How to Avoid Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning can happen even with food cooked at home if proper hygiene is not followed. Your kitchen is a battlefield, and hygiene is your armour. Here are the golden rules to keep you safe, inspired by the WHO:
Cleanliness is the Queen:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food and after using the toilet.
- Keep all kitchen surface utensils and equipment sparkling clean.
- Protect your kitchen and food from pesky insects, rodents, and other animals.
Separate and Conquer:
- Never let raw meat, poultry, and seafood touch other foods, especially ready-to-eat items.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
- Store food in a sealed container to prevent cross-contamination in your fridge.
Cook Thoroughly:
- Cook food, especially meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, to the proper internal temperature. Make sure it’s piping hot all the way through. Soup and stew should come to a rolling boil of at least 70 degrees Celsius.
- Reheat cooked food thoroughly until it’s steaming hot.
Keep Food at a Safe Temperature:
- Don’t leave cooked food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Refrigerate perishable food immediately.
- Don’t store food, even in the refrigerator, for too long.
- Never thaw frozen food at room temperature; use cold water or microwave it instead.
Safe Water and Ingredients:
- Use safe water for drinking and food preparation. If unsure, boil and filter it before drinking.
- Select fresh and wholesome foods.
- Choose foods processed for safety, such as pasteurised milk.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if you are eating them raw.
- Pay attention to expiry dates. Never use food beyond its ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date.
Home Remedies for Mild Cases of Food Poisoning
For most mild cases of food poisoning, your body can recover on its own, often within 48 hours. Here’s what you can do to help yourself feel better.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This is the most important step. Drink plenty of fluids like water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solution (like Electral FDC, Pedialyte, or Prolyte).
- Go Easy on Your Stomach: Avoid heavy meals. Opt for small, bland meals throughout the day.
- Know What to Avoid: Stay away from dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
- Probiotics Can Help: Consider adding probiotics to your diet to help restore the good bacteria in your gut. Get the list of Indian probiotics here.
- Rest Up: Give your body the rest it needs to recover from illness and dehydration.
Key Takeaways
Food poisoning doesn’t have to ruin your summer. By understanding what it is, recognizing the symptoms, and, most importantly, following these simple hygiene and food safety practices, you can significantly reduce your risk. Stay safe, eat well, and enjoy your summer!
