by: News Canada
(NC)-Common symptoms of foodborne illness include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, sometimes blood or pus in the stools, headache, vomiting and severe exhaustion. Symptoms will vary according to the type and amount of harmful microorganisms present in the food. Symptoms may come on as early as half-hour after eating the contaminated food or may not develop for several days or weeks. Symptoms usually last only a day or two, but can, in some cases, persist for a week to 10 days. For most healthy people, foodborne illnesses aren't long lasting or life threatening. However for older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, foodborne illness can be very serious and even life-threatening.
What can you do to protect yourself from food poisoning? Follow these four easy food safety steps listed below:
CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often
SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate
COOK: Cook to proper temperature
CHILL: Refrigerate promptly
For more information on food safety, visit the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education Web site at www.canfightbac.org.