Kids who are growing up tend to become picky with what they eat. And since they have sensitive tummy as well as a still developing immune s system, parents need to be careful with what they feed their children. Contaminated food can make them sick within hours after eating hence, extra care needs to be practiced on a daily basis.
Did you know that more than 75 million people get affected by foodborne illnesses each year? These are due to viruses, parasites, toxins and bacteria that include the E.coli, salmonella and staphylococcus. Common symptoms are diarrhea and dehydration which can easily make kids weak and fussy.
There are simple steps to follow to prevent food poisoning in the home. A clean surrounding is a must and most especially in the kitchen where food is prepared and served. Cutting boards, knives and other kitchen utensils need to be washed with antibacterial soap and warm to hot water after each use. If possible, do not use the wooden chopping boards as they are hard to clean. Another basic step to practice is to always wash your hand before handling raw food whether it’s poultry, meat, seafood or eggs.
When using meat, dairy and eggs, they should be cooked thoroughly or pasteurized and make sure that you check the expiration dates every time you buy from the grocery store. A kitchen thermometer would be very handy to parents to help them check the temperature of their food.
If you need to thaw food, don’t do it at room temperature. The best way is to thaw them inside the fridge and once thawed, use them right away. If the food has been completely thawed, it’s not advisable to refreeze it.
After mealtime, it is best to refrigerate the leftover food. Avoid leaving them on the dining table or on the kitchen counter for extended periods of time at room temperature. If you’re going to eat leftover foods or ready-to-eat foods, do make sure that you reheat them properly.
In the event a parent suspects the food poisoning was caused by food bought from the supermarket, he or she can file a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said Curtis Quay, a personal injury attorney at Injury Trial Lawyers, APC. If the food involved are meat, poultry or egg products, they can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline and find out how to file a consumer complaint, he added.
What To Do If Your Child Shows Symptoms
In the event you see symptoms of possible food poisoning in your child, let him or her rest and drink plenty of water. If he or she is experiencing diarrhea, let the child drink a hydrating solution such as Pedialyte right away. But if high fever develops and your child finds it hard to keep water down, it’s best to have him checked by a pediatrician.
Normally, your child would then be advised to undergo lab tests such as a stool examination and urinalysis.
Originally posted on December 29, 2016 @ 10:49 am