New year's holidays are never complete without a festive table with a variety of dishes that need to be stored in the refrigerator. But with modern conditions and constant blackouts, it is difficult to store food properly. Food poisoning is not the best way to end a festive evening, so the Center for public health of Ukraine shared simple rules to protect yourself and your loved ones from the unpleasant consequences of the celebration, writes UNN.
According to Statistics, last year during the Christmas holidays, experts observed an increase in the number of cases of acute intestinal infections: 6527 cases in December 2023-January 2024 against 5764 cases of acute intestinal infections in December 2022 – January 2023.
The main factors of food poisoning are bacteria, viruses and parasites. And the following products have the greatest risk of infection with these pathogens::
raw eggs;
unpasteurized milk;
home conservation;
raw meat, fish and seafood;
soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk (for example, brie, camembert, blue-veined cheeses);
confectionery products with cream.
In order to avoid contamination of food with microorganisms before and after meals, experts recommend:
Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before cooking. Clean kitchen surfaces and appliances regularly.
Cut raw and finished products into separate boards. Have a separate board and knife for meat and fish, so as not to contaminate the finished food with microorganisms that may be in raw products.
Heat-treat raw food before use. Make sure that the fish or meat is well cooked, baked or fried before serving and eating.
Make sure that the food is fresh. Check the expiration date of products. If the appearance or smell is questionable, you should throw it away and not take any risks.
Do not leave food on the table for more than two hours. After the celebration, immediately put the remaining food in the refrigerator, especially salads with mayonnaise, cream desserts and jelly.
It is also recommended to purchase food products from trusted retail chains and suppliers.
If you decide to hold a celebration outside of your home, choose proven restaurants or cafes with a good reputation. And do not hesitate to ask the staff to replace your dish if its quality is in doubt.
Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to food poisoning.
Poisoning can manifest through nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting or/and diarrhea, and have dangerous complications with the need for hospitalization due to dehydration, prolonged fever, or even visual impairment.
If symptoms of poisoning are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
Recall
A 26-year-old pregnant woman in the Volyn region was poisoned by mushrooms, which led to the loss of a child. After intensive treatment, the patient's condition returned to normal.