How to prevent getting food poisoning/stomach flu

Food poisoning or the Stomach flu are known as either bacterial or viral gastroenteritis. Either way, it is the same symptoms and discomfort. What you’re really want to do is prevent and minimize your exposure!

Here are some of the simple, day-to-day habits you can apply to avoid contracting “gastroenteritis”:

• Avoid preparing food when infected and experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
• Practice good personal hygiene and safe food handling.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after being in a public place, and ALWAYS before touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or food.
• Avoid direct contact, such as hugging and kissing an infected person.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, clothes, towels, or eating utensils with an infected person.
• Avoid food and water that may be contaminated.
• Avoid eating foods that have been left out for more than two hours.

In addition, follow these simple rules and daily habits:

• Drink only filtered, purified, or treated water.
• Separate raw foods from cooked foods.
• Wash produce thoroughly.
• Cook eggs, meat, and poultry all the way through.
• Wash hands, utensils, and all surfaces that have been used for raw meat or poultry.
• Wash hands prior to touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, or food
• Cook and maintain cooked foods at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Store foods in shallow dishes for quick cooling to minimize bacteria growth.
• Put food away within two hours and refrigerate below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When shopping for food, purchase perishables last and refrigerate them within two hours of purchasing.
• Observe expiration dates on refrigerated packages and frozen foods.
• Avoid eating foods from damaged cans.