The holidays are for friends, family and food. It's also a time many people are at risk of foodborne illness.Each year an estimated 80 million Americans suffer from foodborne illness. To keep friends and family safe this holiday season, follow these safety tips:
- Never place cooked foods on the same plate already used for raw meats and poultry.
- The same rule applies to utensils, cutting boards and preparation surfaces.
- Surfaces that appear clean may still harbor invisible bacteria, such as Salmonella and E coli, which cause foodborne illness
- Water and detergent don't kill bacteria. Damp and dirty sponges and dishcloths may even spread bacteria to other surfaces such as cutting boards, countertops, and high chairs.
- Use an antibacterial cleaner to kill and help stop the spread of bacteria. Lysol® Antibacterial Kitchen CleanerŞ is the only kitchen cleaner that is EPA-registered to kill both Salmonella and E coli., two common causes of foodborne illness.
- Symptoms of foodborne illness usually appear from four to 48 hours after eating contaminated food, but can appear anywhere within 30 minutes to two weeks. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever or cramps.
