The SEEN launches a series of recommendations to avoid food poisoning in summer – Pharma Market

The Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) warns of the danger that food poisoning can cause the body, especially during the summer period, since high temperatures favor the development of microorganisms. Also, at this time it is also more difficult to keep food at the right temperature when eaten away from home. Dr. Ana Isabel Sánchez Marcos, a member of the Nutrition Area of ​​the SEEN, points out that “microorganisms are living beings that need food, which serves as their vehicle and habitat, to provide them with favorable conditions such as the availability of nutrients, temperature suitable and a non-aggressive environment. With these favorable conditions, if we give them the necessary time, they will reproduce, being able to reach infective doses and, in addition, those that are toxigenic will produce toxins”. What is food poisoning? Food poisoning is a disease that is caused by the ingestion of food with the presence of pathogenic germs or their toxins, by viruses or parasites. The doctor states that “the disease can have its origin in the ingestion of bacteria or viruses carried in the food (infection), in toxins produced by those previously formed in the food (intoxication), or in parasitic forms in specific phases of their cycle evolutionary (infestation)”. Food poisoning is a disease that is caused by the ingestion of food with the presence of pathogenic germs or their toxins, by viruses or parasites. Symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, and sometimes fever. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report published in 2020, the most common foodborne illnesses are caused by campylobacter, salmonella, yersinia, the bacteria escherichia coli and listeria. This same report warns that foodborne zoonotic diseases are a major and widespread threat to global public health. More than 350,000 cases are reported each year in the European Union, and the true number is likely to be higher. Recommendations for its prevention Regarding the advice to avoid suffering from food poisoning, the specialist reminds us of the importance of taking into account the ‘Golden Rules’ of the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure proper handling and conservation of food. foods. Among these recommendations are consuming foods that have been treated or handled hygienically. Among these recommendations are consuming foods that have been treated or handled hygienically. Likewise, it is necessary to cook foods of animal origin correctly, since they can be contaminated by microorganisms and, in addition, food must be eaten shortly after cooking. On the other hand, the endocrinologist maintains that it is vital to preserve cooked food correctly and indicates that if you cannot finish it immediately or you want to store leftovers, they should be kept refrigerated at a maximum of 5°C or frozen. Sánchez Marcos also highlights the importance of sufficiently heating cooked food, as well as avoiding contact between raw and cooked food. “Cooked food can be recontaminated by contact with raw food or objects that have previously contacted raw food.” “Cooked food can be recontaminated by contact with raw food or objects that have previously contacted raw food.” raw food”. Other precautions to be taken include proper hygiene of the person who is going to handle the food and proper cleaning of all kitchen surfaces, as well as keeping food out of the reach of insects, rodents and pets. Finally, the specialist emphasizes that you only have to use drinking water and rule out eating perishable foods exposed to room temperature. Food poisoning is mild and goes away without treatment, although some people require going to the hospital. In most cases, food poisoning is mild and goes away without treatment, although some people require going to the hospital. For this reason, the endocrinologist recommends consulting the doctor when some alarm symptoms appear. In case of needing home treatment, the specialist argues that it may consist of replacing lost fluids, antibiotics in some cases and warns that antidiarrheal medications should not be taken without a medical prescription as they can aggravate the condition.