Myths About Food Poisoning

 Posted on July 02, 2016 in Food poisoning attorney

Meat is fully cooked and safe to eat when its juices run clear, right? Actually, this is a myth. Although the color of a cut of meat or its juices can indicate whether it has been cooked to a safe temperature, they alone can not be used to make this determination. The only way to know for sure whether your meat has reached a safe internal temperature, which means that the meat has reached the temperature at which any potentially harmful bacteria within it is dead, is to use a meat thermometer.

Other myths about safe food handling and storage procedures and the process of contracting food poisoning abound. These myths often cause individuals to make unsafe food handling choices and become ill. Familiarize yourself with some of the most common food poisoning myths and their corresponding facts to reduce your chance of suffering from food poisoning.

Myth: Spoiled or Unsafe Food is Obvious in Smell or Look

The truth is, it is not always obvious that a piece of food is spoiled or unsafe. Certain types of bacteria produce no visible or olfactory signals of their presence. If you are ever unsure about a piece of food, discard it.

Myth: Only Animal Products are Susceptible to Harmful Bacteria

Although many reports of Salmonella and E.coli outbreaks discuss tainted meat, it is possible for vegetables, fruits, and grains to become contaminated with harmful bacteria. Store all foods according to the instructions on their labels and follow proper handling procedures, such as washing utensils and cutting boards between the preparation of different courses and keeping foods out of the danger zone.

Myth: You Cannot Refreeze Thawed Food

It is safe to refreeze food that has been thawed. However, if the food was thawed outside the refrigerator, it should be thoroughly cooked before refreezing. Raw meats and dairy products should not be thawed on the counter.

Myth: Dropped Food is Safe to Eat if it is Picked Up Within Five Seconds

You probably know the “five second rule,” which states that if you pick up dropped food quickly enough, it is safe to consume. This is wrong. Food that is dropped on the floor must be washed before it can safely be consumed. Although this type of joking can be fun around adults, talking about the “five second rule” can confuse children and cause them to eat unsafe, unsanitary food.

Work with an Experienced Arlington Heights Area Food Poisoning Attorney

When you sit down to speak with an experienced food poisoning attorney about your experience, you can straighten out your understanding of the prevalent myths and facts about food poisoning and determine if you have grounds for a claim against the negligent party. To learn more, schedule your free legal consultation with a member of our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP today. Our offices are located in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Itasca, Cary, and Chicago.

(photo courtesy of Adam Singer)