September is National Food Safety Education Month. Designating this observance provides an opportunity to raise awareness about steps you can take to prevent food poisoning.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food. Some people are more likely to get a foodborne illness (also called food poisoning) or to get seriously ill.
Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) would like to share information regarding food poisoning and prevention.
Some foods to avoid in an effort to prevent food poisoning are:
- raw or undercooked meat and poultry
- raw or undercooked fish and shellfish
- canned fish and seafood
- refrigerated smoked seafood in a cooked dish
- unpasteurized dairy (milk and eggs)
- raw or undercooked sprouts (alfalfa, bean, etc.)
- unwashed fresh vegetables
- soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk
- processed cheeses
To learn more about ways to prevent food poisoning visit:
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.