Children under age 5 are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from contaminated food. Food poisoning tends to be more common in the summer. It’s when more people cook and enjoy meals outdoors, away from refrigerators, sinks and thermometers.
“Always wash hands before cooking and clean all surfaces where food will be prepared and served,” said pediatrician Dr. Robert W. Frenck, Jr. “During warmer months, germs can multiply quickly on food.”
To avoid food poisoning and contamination, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers these eight tips:
- When packing food, start with clean hands and clean coolers.
- Before reusing plates and utensils that held or touched raw food, wash them in hot, soapy water.
- Clean the grill with a ball of aluminum foil or nylon brush. Try to avoid wire grill brushes, which pose injury risk when stray wire brush strands stick to food and are swallowed.
- Use separate coolers based on the temperature and type of food or drink. Store uncooked food away from prepared food that is ready to eat. This includes keeping foods that are eaten raw (like vegetables and fruits) separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood that must be cooked first. Before you leave home, rinse fruits and vegetables and dry them well.
- Pack dishes and utensils for cooking and a separate set of clean dishes and utensils for serving food.
- Drinks should also be sorted into separate coolers. Keep alcohol in an “adult” cooler so children do not accidentally grab the wrong drink.
- When you get to your picnic site, if possible, place the food coolers in a shaded area and keep them closed. This will help avoid exposing food to changes in temperature. Until it is served, cold food should be kept under 40 °F and hot food should be kept at or above 140 °F.
- Put leftovers back into coolers to keep bacteria from multiplying. Know when to throw away food that is left out at room temperature. Hot and cold food should not sit out for longer than two hours or one hour if outdoor temperatures are above 90 °F.
Symptoms of food poisoning are a lot like other intestinal illnesses. They can start within a few hours after you eat or can take a few days to make you sick.
“Young children, pregnant people, people with immune conditions and the elderly have a higher risk of food poisoning,” Dr. Frenck said. “Even with careful planning, food can get contaminated. Make sure to check with a doctor if you believe any members of your family are experiencing food poisoning.”
For more information, go to: Food Poisoning & Contamination: Information for Families – HealthyChildren.org