The Importance of Food Safety

September marks National Food Safety Education Month! This is an ideal time that families can use to raise awareness about safe and healthy food practices that prevent cross contamination. Cross contamination can occur when dangerous germs from one food spread to other foods. As kids head back to school this fall, eating in a cafeteria around other children, practicing safe food handling becomes even more important.

Everyone is at risk from food poisoning– even healthy children and adults. At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, we encourage you to walk-in to learn more about food safety month, and how you can take simple steps toward preventing illness before it happens.

Why is food safety important?

Foodborne illnesses affect millions of people, and consistently remain under-reported each year. These illnesses significantly affect the well-being of communities, presenting a major challenge to groups of all people. Although anyone can get a foodborne illness, some people are at greater risk. Food safety is an important issue for us all, and there are simple steps we can take toward managing and preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses. Better health starts with safer food.

What are the symptoms of foodborne illnesses?

There are more than 250 different foodborne diseases caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When food becomes contaminated, the possibility of a foodborne illness outbreak occurs. The threat of foodborne illness varies between cases, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to very serious illness.

Symptoms of foodborne illness can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Headache

While some symptoms pass without medical treatment, foodborne illnesses can at times be severe and even lead to death. Older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing food poisoning. Visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst if you have any questions or require treatment for foodborne illness.

How to ensure food is safe for your family:

In the home, food safety can mean knowing how to buy, prepare, and store food. Remember to always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before preparing foods and after handling raw meat, fish, eggs and poultry.

Here are a few tips toward ensuring your kitchen and food stay safe:

• Always wash your hands, counters, cooking tools and cutting boards between uses. The first step toward good health is good cleanliness, especially in the kitchen.
• Keep raw foods to themselves, as germs can spread from one food to another. Practice this in your shopping cart and fridge.
• When it comes to thawing food, it's best to plan ahead and thaw in the refrigerator where it will remain at a safe and constant temperature.
• Heat food to safe temperatures and use a food thermometer to guarantee it’s done cooking.

Urgent Care at AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst

When you’re sick, AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst is there. We’re open every day of the week, making urgent care accessible when you need it. Don’t leave your health up to chance, visit our urgent care center with no appointment necessary. Call now for more information about food safety practices or other urgent care questions at (201) 345-3839.