How Seniors Can Protect Themselves From Food Related Illness
Every year, one in six Americans suffers food poisoning and about 3,000
die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2010). While healthy diets are certainly beneficial and help prevent
disease and improve mental and physical abilities, seniors should avoid
some foods that appear healthy, especially raw foods, because of the
germs that are in the food. As we age, it is harder for our bodies to
fight off germs, making it easier to get sick. Having diabetes, kidney
disease, or treatments from cancer also add to the risk of food-borne
illnesses.
The Food
and Drug Administration recommends seniors avoid these foods:
- Raw fish
- Raw shellfish, such as
oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops
- Raw meat or poultry
- Raw or unpasteurized milk or
cheese
- Soft cheeses such as feta,
brie, blue, and Mexican-style
- Raw or lightly cooked eggs or
egg products, such as salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter,
sauces, and drinks such as eggnog
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurized or untreated
juice from fruits and veggies. In the U.S. almost all juice is treated
to kill germs. This makes it safe to drink. The FDA requires a warning
label on all juices that have not been treated. The label says: WARNING: This product has not
been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can
cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with a weak
immune system.
The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention adds this:
- Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon
meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
- Avoid getting fluid from hot
dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces,
and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.
- Do not eat refrigerated pâtés
or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtés and meat spreads may be
eaten.
- Do not eat refrigerated
smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a
casserole. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout,
whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel, is most often labeled as
"nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky." The fish is
found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery
stores and delicatessens. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood may be
eaten.
Why
refrigerator maintenance is a priority
Reducing the risk that your body will be introduced to harmful germs
also begins in your refrigerator. Listeriosis is an infection and a
form of food poisoning caused by eating contaminated food with the
bacterium Listeria monocytogenes which grows on food at refrigerator
temperatures. People affected by listeriosis experience
symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhea.
The infection can spread to the nervous system, causing headache, stiff
neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. Obviously, at that
stage, listeriosis puts seniors even more at risk for falling.
In the United States, an estimated 1,600 persons become seriously ill
and 260 die with listeriosis each year. Even with prompt treatment of
antibiotics, some infections result in death. This is particularly
likely in the elderly and in persons with other serious medical
problems.
The good news is consumers can reduce their risk for listeriosis quite
easily in three easy steps as outlined by the Food and Drug
Administration.
Chill...
...at
the Right Temperature
- Your
refrigerator should register at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at
0°F (-18°C).
- Place
a refrigerator thermometer in the refrigerator, and check the
termperature periodically. Adjust the refrigerator temperature control,
if necessary. Place a second thermometer in the freezer.
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Use...
...Ready-to-Eat
Foods ASAP!
- Use
ready-to-eat,
refrigerated foods as soon as possible. The longer
they're stored in the
refrigerator, the more chance Listeria has to grow.
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Clean...
...the
Refrigerator
-
Clean your
refrigerator regularly.
-
Wipe up spills
immediately. This is particularly important, so Listeria doesn't have a place to grow and then spread to other foods.
-
Clean
the inside walls and shelves with hot water and a mild liquid
dishwashing detergent; then rise. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
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Other measures you can take to avoid listeriosis:
- Thoroughly cook raw food from
animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
- Wash raw vegetables
thoroughly before eating.
- Keep uncooked meats separate
from other foods.
- Wash hands, knives, and
cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
- Consume perishable and
ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.
Given a senior’s naturally lowered ability to fight off infection,
seniors, their families, and caregivers should take these preventive
measures to avoid germs in food and contracting food
poisoning. Pay attention to the foods that are eaten, how
food is prepared, and properly maintain the food in the refrigerator,
and you may avoid an illness that causes great discomfort and weakening
of the body.
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