Listeria Prevention
Food poisoning can be serious. Listeria prevention measures are important to insure that you or a member of your family does not become seriously ill due to foodborne illnesses. While food poisoning is usually only mild and causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, it can be fatal for those who are most at risk. Listeria food poisoning prevention should include the following:
* In the kitchen, wash cooking utensils, cutting boards, knives and hands thoroughly, especially after handling raw or uncooked foods.
* Raw vegetables must be thoroughly washed and scrubbed before being consumed.
* Do not eat foods made using unpasteurized milk, and do not drink raw milk.
* Make certain that raw meats are kept separate from ready-to-eat foods and vegetables.
* Always cook beef, pork and poultry thoroughly.
While Listeria may not be extremely serious when it occurs in healthy individuals, it can result in encephalitis or meningitis in those at higher risk. Those who are immune deficient and pregnant women should take special care to insure they are not infected with Listeria. Transmission from the mother to the unborn baby can result in sepsis. In these individuals, Listeria prevention should also include:
* Avoid left over canned meat spreads or pates that have been refrigerated.
* Soft cheeses should be avoided. These include queso blanco, queso fresco, Panela, Brie, Camembert and any other without labels that clearly state that they are manufactured using pasteurized milk.
* Do not eat smoked seafoods such as trout, tuna, cod or mackerel that is commonly sold at deli counters or in the refrigerated sections at grocery stores. The canned variety that can be stored outside of refrigeration is usually safe to eat.
* Lunch meats, hot dogs and other processed cold meats should be avoided and only eaten if they are heated until they are steaming hot.
Individuals often get food poisoning through foods that are prepared in restaurants, camps, nursing homes and other public places. Sometimes those who become ill from foodborne illnesses do not realize that though their illness is mild, they may be eligible for compensation from the responsible party. Lost wages, medical costs and other expenses may be sought.
It is very important that Listeria food poisoning prevention measures be taken by everyone, however sometimes they are not. When you believe that you have food poisoning, see your doctor at once. Tests may be performed to determine if you do have Listeria, and if any treatment is necessary. This is crucial in those groups of people who are at a higher risk of serious complications.
Listeria prevention should not be taken lightly. If you have become ill due to the carelessness of those preparing or manufacturing foods, contact a New York food poisoning attorney who can instruct you on what action to take.
