Food poisoning in monsoon: Whether it is a light drizzle or heavy downpour, monsoon brings with it a refreshing change in the weather. However, the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses also increases significantly during the rainy season. The deadly combination of increased humidity and fluctuating temperatures creates an ideal environment for fungi, bacteria, and viruses to thrive. One of the most common health problems that affect people is food poisoning. Recently, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor was hospitalized due to food poisoning, bringing the health issue into the limelight. To ensure the safety of yourself and your family this season, you must know how to avoid food poisoning in monsoon.

What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning, as the name suggests, is a type of foodborne illness or disease that people catch after eating some contaminated food. The root cause is germs or harmful bacteria present in the food or drink. It is usually not a serious condition and can be cured within a few days with or without treatment if precautions are taken.

Some common symptoms of food poisoning include:

1. Upset stomach
2. Vomiting
3. Nausea
4. Diarrhea
5. Abdominal pain and cramps
6. Diarrhea with blood in the stool
7. Fever
8. Headache

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food poisoning from E. coli, salmonella and other contaminants is very common during the rainy season. Contaminated food is one of the causes of food poisoning, diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera, and hence, essential care is required when it comes to preparation, storage and hygiene.

How to avoid food poisoning during monsoon?

Here are a few tips through which you can keep yourself safe this monsoon:

1. Prioritize food hygiene

Maintaining hygiene is extremely important to prevent foodborne illnesses. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching or eating any food. Maintain hygiene in your kitchen as well as where food is cooked. Clean all your kitchen surfaces, chopping boards and utensils regularly to avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and raw meat to further reduce the risk of contamination.

2. Select fresh ingredients

Always choose fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible. Avoid buying pre-cut fruit and vegetables from street vendors as they are likely to be contaminated. When buying meat, fish and poultry, make sure they are fresh and well-kept at the right temperature. Also, always check for expiry dates or any signs of spoilage when buying packaged foods.

3. Cook your ingredients well

When you cook your food to the right temperature, it ensures that harmful bacteria and viruses are killed. Eat only thoroughly cooked meat, poultry, and seafood and avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods. For extra caution, you can use a food thermometer to verify the internal temperature of cooked foods, ensuring they are at a safe level. For example, the ideal internal temperature for poultry is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius)

4. Store your food properly

Food is more likely to get contaminated during monsoon if it is not stored properly. Refrigerate perishable food items as soon as possible and try not to leave cooked food out at room temperature for a long time. You can also use airtight containers to store leftovers in the refrigerator. Also, make sure your refrigerator is set at the right temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

5. Keep yourself hydrated with safe drinking water

Water gets easily contaminated during monsoon and this becomes a major cause of foodborne illnesses. Make sure to drink only filtered water or boiled water. Do not use ice cubes obtained from unreliable sources and prefer homemade ice using purified water. Also, avoid buying beverages from street vendors, as their water quality may be questionable.

6. Say no to street food

We always crave for street food, but it is better to stay away from it during the monsoon season. Most street vendors fail to maintain consistent hygiene standards. Even if you crave for street food, go to vendors whose stalls look clean. Eat freshly cooked, hot items and avoid consuming raw food brought from the street

7. Dairy products may be a concern

Dairy foods are most likely to spoil during monsoon. Make sure your milk and milk-based items are pasteurised and stored at the right temperature. Any dairy product kept at room temperature for a long time should be avoided. Also, check for expiry dates and proper sealing when buying dairy items.

8. Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly

Even if you buy your groceries from the best vendors, chances are that they may contain harmful pesticides and bacteria during the monsoon. Any raw food you buy from outside, wash it thoroughly in running water before eating. Leafy vegetables can be soaked in a solution of water and vinegar to get rid of any residual contaminants. Peeling fruits can also prevent the risk of toxins entering through the skin.

9. Stay updated on food recalls

Keep a close eye on food safety alerts issued by health officials. This information can protect you from consuming contaminated products. You can subscribe to food safety newsletters or follow government agencies on social media to keep track of timely updates.

10. Handle your food safely

Finally, always try to learn safe food handling techniques. Serve food with clean utensils and plates and do not use the same utensils for raw and cooked items. Whenever you have doubts about the safety of any food consumption, it is better to discard it than to risk getting a foodborne illness.