SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER


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Real Poison Center Case


A mom called the Poison Center to report a potential food safety issue. She explained that she had prepared a meal for her family using a store-bought pre-packaged salad mix, which had been stored in her refrigerator for two days. Shortly after consuming the salad, both her husband and daughter began experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Upon hearing the mom’s description, the Poison Center specialist asked her if anyone else who consumed the salad was also affected. Sarah confirmed that she and her son, who ate a smaller portion of the salad, were not experiencing any symptoms. The specialist asked the mom about the appearance, smell, and taste of the salad mix. She mentioned that the salad looked slightly wilted and had a slightly sour smell, but she assumed it was because the greens were nearing their expiration date. However, she did not notice any unusual taste.

 

Based on the information provided, the specialist suspected that the salad might have been contaminated with bacteria, most likely due to improper storage or handling. They recommended that mom and her family visit their primary care physician or an emergency room for evaluation and treatment if symptoms worsened.

 

The poison center specialist explained the importance of practicing good food safety habits, such as storing perishable foods properly, adhering to expiration dates, and avoiding consumption of foods with an off smell or appearance.

The specialist assured the mom that she could contact the Poison Center again if she had any further questions or concerns. 

Food Safety


There are consequences to our favorite foods when you do not handle them properly, leading to food poisoning, infections, and more. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help protect your food and yourself:

 

  • Store your food properly- Storing foods properly can greatly avoid the growth of bacteria.
  • Do not let food stay outside of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
  • Prep it right- It is important to practice proper hand hygiene when dealing with food. This minimizes the spread of bacteria from one food to another.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of harmful bacteria, pests, and dirt. 
  • Cook it right- Make sure to cook food to the recommended temperature to properly kill any bacteria within the food.
  • Leftovers? - Do not leave food out for more than two hours. If you feel the food may have an off smell or looks different from when you originally made it, dump it out. 
  • Taking lunch to work? - store food in proper containers. Hot foods must be kept in a well-insulated lunch box. Cold food should be refrigerated. 


What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is Gram-Negative, Flagellated bacteria that reside in soil, on surfaces, and in wet environments. It can also persist in many foods that humans eat, such as dairy products, raw meats, eggs, some vegetables, and processed foods. There is a possibility that Salmonella might colonize in live animals as well.

 

When people are near or eat these contaminated foods and animals, they are at risk of developing Salmonellosis and other infections that occur in the blood, bones, stomach, and joints. Infections related to the Salmonella bacteria are among the most common cases around the world, with an estimate of about 550 million illnesses per year. 

 

When someone has contracted a Salmonella infection, they may experience symptoms such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Stomach Cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

 

When positive for a Salmonella Infection, it usually takes between 4 to 7 days for the infection to clear up. There have been cases in which patients have to take antibiotics to help get rid of the Salmonella bacteria. Most cases of the Salmonella infection recover completely, but there are people that sometimes have some aftereffects from the infection.

There are many ways that Salmonella infections can be prevented, and it is important to understand the proper handling of foods that may contain Salmonella. 

 

Some tips include:

  • Avoid eating raw meats
  • Avoid eating raw eggs and other mixtures that include it
  • Make sure the dairy and egg product that you use are pasteurized
  • Avoid eating certain uncooked vegetables like clover, radishes, and bean sprouts.
  • Make sure to wash your hands correctly and thoroughly
  • Do not cross contaminate foods.

 

If you believe you or someone else has been exposed to the Salmonella bacteria, contact the Texas Poison Center Hotline at 1(800)-222-1222. 


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