EOHU reminds residents of outdoor food safety basics Barbecues and picnics often a source of foodborne illness
2010-06-28
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is reminding residents of simple safety measures they can take to reduce the risk of food poisoning when eating outdoors this summer.
Cases of foodborne illness typically increase during camping and picnic season, when food often sits out for long periods of time,” says Caroline Kuate, Coordinator of Food Safety at the EOHU. “Fortunately, many cases of food poisoning can be avoided by taking some simple precautions.”
The EOHU offers the following food safety tips for barbecues, picnics and camping:
- Use non-hazardous foods as much as possible, such as vegetables and fruit, bread, crackers and canned goods.
- Put meat into a cooler with frozen gel packs or ice when travelling. Be careful to pack raw meat so that its juice cannot spill onto cooked meat or other ready-to-eat foods.
- Pack drinks and snacks in a different container from the meat cooler. This will help prevent the meat cooler from being opened often and causing cool air to escape.
- Keep meat chilled until you’re ready to put it on the barbecue.
- Cook all meats thoroughly, especially chicken and hamburgers.
- Never serve cooked meat on the same plate that was used for raw meat (don’t cut raw and cooked meats on the same board or with the same utensils unless they have been cleaned and sanitized in between).
- Throw away any leftovers that have been sitting uncovered or un-refrigerated for 2 hours or more (bacteria begins to multiply quickly after this point).
- Wash your hands often, especially before handling or eating food. If soap and water aren’t available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Symptoms of food poisoning can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and fever, and can occur from several hours to several days after eating contaminated food. The elderly, children, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms such as bloody stool or prolonged vomiting or diarrhea should seek medical care as soon as possible.
For more information about how to prevent foodborne illness, contact the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 613-933-1375 or at 1 800 267-7120.
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