Food Safety and Preventing Food Poisoning

Food poisoning can happen when we eat or drink something contaminated with harmful bacteria, chemicals, or naturally occurring toxins. While many cases of food poisoning cause mild symptoms that improve within a few days, some illnesses can become serious and may require medical attention.

Common symptoms of food poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and other digestive problems. Many mild cases can be managed at home with guidance from a healthcare provider or a poison specialist. If symptoms last longer than two days, become severe, or you are concerned about a possible poisoning exposure, seek medical advice.

Four Steps to Food Safety

Following safe food handling practices can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four basic steps to keep food safe:

Clean

Wash your hands and food preparation surfaces before, during, and after preparing food. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking. Do not rinse packaged meat, poultry, or seafood before preparation, as this can spread harmful bacteria to other surfaces.

Separate

Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods like fruits and vegetables. Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and knives when preparing different types of food to reduce cross-contamination.

Cook

Cooking food to the proper internal temperature helps destroy harmful bacteria and reduces the risk of foodborne illness. Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked safely before serving.

Chill

Refrigerate perishable foods within one to two hours after cooking or purchasing. Proper storage temperatures help slow the growth of bacteria and keep food safe.

When Should You Call the Poison Helpline?

The Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center provides free, confidential, and expert advice 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our poison specialists can answer questions about possible food poisoning exposures and help determine the appropriate next steps.

Call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance about food safety concerns, suspected food poisoning, or other poisoning emergencies.

Program 1-800-222-1222 into your phone contacts and keep the number somewhere easy to find at home and work.

Watch the video above to learn more about food safety and how you can help prevent food poisoning.