Food Poisoning

There's nothing like stomach cramps, vomiting, or worse to ruin a vacation. Every summer people end up with stomach ailments that could easily be avoided had they followed a few basic tips.

Food poisoning is the result of eating inedible (to humans) items or foods that have become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Actually, most food has small amounts of bacteria, but either it is killed in the cooking (or pasteurizing) process, or it exists in small enough quantities that your body can eliminate it.

Best practices

Reading the label is a good way to start. Make sure that milk products and even fruit juices are pasteurized. Do not leave cooked foods sitting around before eating them. It allows time for bacteria to grow and multiply. Wash foods that are not going to be cooked before eating them, even if they have a skin that will be removed.

Specific tips for heading to the cottage:

• Wash coolers, containers, and surfaces with a mild bleach solution before your trip.
• Make sure coolers have tight-fitting lids, and when they are filled store them in dark cool areas, like under benches or tables, rather than in the direct sun.
• Your fridge (and cooler) should go no higher than 4°C.
• Do not let foods that will not be cooked (like lettuces, tomatoes, onions) come in contact with raw meats. Use a separate cooler so that bacteria cannot be transmitted by water (melted ice).
• Keep fish and meats cold - either in a fridge or in the cooler packed well with ice.
• Keep mayonnaise and salads with mayonnaise cold as they too can become breeding grounds for bacteria or go bad.
• If you are traveling long distances with fish or meats, consider freezing them first to keep them colder longer.
• Always cook hamburgers and poultry thoroughly. Steaks should be well seared to kill surface bacteria.
• Do not use plates, utensils, or cutting surfaces that held raw meats for cooked food without a thorough cleaning (with a soapy solution). Also wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
• Use a meat thermometre to make sure that the inside is heated right through.
• Bring bottled water and other drinks with you if you are not sure about the purity of the water available.
• Do not eat berries or mushrooms that you cannot clearly identify.