Can you avoid E.Coli?
Chipotle has certainly been in the news about E. Coli
outbreaks at its restaurants. What is E.
Coli and what can you do to avoid getting an infection? WebMD, CNN, CDC and others have focused on E.
Coli and provide some excellent tips for consumers.
What is E. Coli?
It is a bacteria and the official name is Escherichia
coli. Food infections can come from
animals or humans. It is found in both
animal and human intestines.
A simple way to describe it is “Poop Germs”. Many of us can have E. Coli in our intestines
and it is harmless. However, some
strains can make you sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory
illnesses and if severe enough even kidney failure.
What foods can be
contaminated with E. Coli?
Most commonly, E. Coli outbreaks are linked to undercooked
hamburgers. Produce can be contaminated
and is the leading reason for outbreaks.
Raw milk as it hasn’t been pasteurized, and unpasteurized apple
cider.
How does E. Coli get
into our food?
Animals are one source as noted above. Slaughter houses can contaminate meat if the
meat gets in contact with cattle feces.
Cow feces can also wash down into a field of celery or other
produce. If cow feces comes into contact
with milk, the milk will be contaminated. Server didn’t wash their hands
properly? If their feces is contaminated
with E. Coli and they serve your food, touch your plate, touch your glass,
touch your menu, the E. Coli germs can be transferred to you.
What are the symptoms
of E. Coli infections?
Traveler’s diarrhea or Montezuma’s revenge can be caused by
E. Coli. For this, get some rest and
drink fluids. Other symptoms include
vomiting, a fever, and even bloody diarrhea.
For these symptoms, seek out medical help. CDC notes children, the elderly or people
with weakened immune systems can have more severe symptoms with E. Coli
infections. Your doctor may not
prescribe antibiotics as that could make the symptoms worse. And you probably won’t be prescribed
antidiarrheal meds as that could keep the E. Coli in your intestines longer, prolonging
your illness.
How can you avoid E.
Coli infections?
Eat pasteurized dairy foods, pasteurized milk. Buy pasteurized apple cider and cook beef to
160 degree F. In the fridge, put meat in
a tray or wrap up so the meat juice doesn’t drip and contaminate produce or
other foods in the fridge. After cutting
meat, wash the cutting board and knife in hot, soapy water. It is good idea to use separate cutting
boards for vegetables/fruit and meats.
Some people buy different color cutting boards to ensure they keep them
separate. Hand washing and then drying with a paper towel is also
important. Drying your hands on the “kitchen
towel” may spread “poop germs” throughout the kitchen.
So stay healthy this year and avoid E. Coli infections by choosing food and restaurants wisely and using safe cooking habits in the kitchen. For more information on the E. Coli outbreak at Chipotle, watch the video from CNN at Chipotle E. Coli outbreak now linked to illness in 9 states. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a good Q and A on E. Coli at: Q and A: E. Coli.
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