At best, food poisoning can make you feel unwell. You might experience symptoms like shivering and vomiting. However, foodborne illnesses are not just inconvenient; they can be severe or even life-threatening. This is why it’s crucial to take precautions when buying, storing, preparing, and preserving foods, including raw beef.
Various toxins can cause food poisoning, with salmonella being one of them. Salmonella is a bacteria that can be harmful under certain conditions. Thankfully, its effects are usually temporary: after a few days of fever and diarrhea, you will likely feel normal again.
But who wants to spend even a few hours dealing with stomach issues? That’s why it’s essential to avoid contaminated beef. Remember, uncooked meat is a known carrier of salmonella because the bacteria naturally exists in some animals, including livestock.
The challenge is that beef contaminated with salmonella doesn’t show obvious signs, so you can’t rely on your senses to detect it. This could be why salmonella is suspected in over a million food poisoning cases each year.
Reliable Strategies to Reduce Food Poisoning Incidents
To maximize your chances of preventing salmonella, start by ensuring your kitchen is clean. Salmonella bacteria can live on surfaces like countertops and skin, so always clean your hands and utensils before and after handling raw meat. This reduces the risk of transferring bacteria that can multiply.
Next, invest in a quality meat thermometer and learn how to check if meat is undercooked. All beef should be cooked to an internal temperature between 145 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the cut. Be meticulous in using your thermometer rather than assuming your beef is fully cooked. Meat might sizzle on the outside but remain undercooked inside. Additionally, avoid using a microwave to cook beef, as it may heat unevenly, leaving raw spots.
Lastly, promptly store your uneaten cooked beef. For instance, after serving your meal, place any leftovers in containers and refrigerate or freeze them. This helps the food cool down faster and reduces the risk of salmonella.
Handling a Nasty Bout of Salmonella
Despite your best efforts, you can’t always completely protect yourself from salmonella, especially when dining out. While outbreaks at public places aren’t daily occurrences, they happen often enough. A 2023 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 18.6% of foodborne illness outbreaks at retail food establishments between 2017 and 2019 were due to salmonella.
If you suspect food poisoning, the first step is to stay hydrated. Food safety expert Dr. Alison O’Brien suggests drinking fluids and advises seeing a doctor if you have blood in your stool (via the National Institutes of Health). She also recommends that children with salmonella poisoning should be seen by a healthcare provider, regardless of the severity of their illness.
If you become ill or have questions about food poisoning, you may want to contact the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Food and consumer science safety experts can assist you in navigating your situation and making safer food choices in the future.
