How Is Salmonella Introduced Into Foods?

Raw Food

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning, gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. It can grow on raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy products, vegetables and fruits. It is essential that meat, poultry and egg products are cooked thoroughly or the bacteria can survive to cause illness. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly. The bacteria can contaminate other foods that come in contact with raw food. A simple act such as cracking a raw egg on a bowl containing other foods can spread contamination. Use a knife or other utensil to crack the shell. Most salmonella bacteria exist only on the shell. Bacteria thrive in and multiply in food with the help of moisture and warm temperatures, between 40 and 140 degrees F. The protection from salmonella takes the concerted effort of farmers, industry, food inspectors, retailers, food service workers and consumers to provide safety, says the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Infected

Salmonella is often transmitted to people who eat foods contaminated with animal feces, explains the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Household pets may play a role in this transmission. They can carry salmonella in their feces. People can then become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with their pets. Pet birds and turtles can even carry the bacteria. Reptiles are known to harbor salmonella. You should wash your hands immediately after handling a reptile. It does not matter if the pet is healthy or not. Restaurants are sometimes a place of salmonella outbreaks. Foods can be contaminated because of the unwashed hands of an infected food handler.

Food Preparation

Wash your hands with soap and water often while preparing food and dry them with a clean towel. This is especially true when you are switching from one type of food to another. It helps prevent the exchange of bacteria between the foods. One way cross contamination can occur is when juices from raw meat are left on the same cutting board used for cutting up salad ingredients. The contaminated salad can then cause illness in the people who eat it. Wash kitchen utensils before using another type of food. Use different cutting boards and knives for different items. Do not leave foods out long and store them in the refrigerator as soon as possible. The bacteria attack the stomach and intestines. It can enter the lymph tracts in more serious cases. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, fever and blood in the feces. Contact a doctor if there are severe stomach cramps and intense bouts of diarrhea that last more than 24 hours.