E. Coli Poisoning:
Reduce Your Risk
 Take
responsibility for keeping your meat free from harmful bacteria. Here are some
steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from contaminated meat:
- Cook all beef, particularly ground beef and hamburgers, well-done. Use a
meat thermometer to make sure that the temperature in the center of the meat
reaches 106 F. If you are unsure of the meat's temperature, avoid eating
meat that is pink in the center.
- When dining out, don't be afraid to send back meat that is
undercooked. When sending it back, request a new plate, side dish and/or bun
if any of these has come in contact with beef juices.
- Practice proper hand washing techniques. This includes washing your hands
before preparing meat and before moving on to prepare other parts of a
meal. Encourage family members to wash their hands after using the bathroom
and set an example by doing the same.
Hand washing techniques and tips
- Wash all utensils, counters and sinks immediately after they come in
contact with undercooked meat. Do not use plates, knifes or utensils
to prepare other foods if they have come in contact with undercooked meat.
- Do not bathe small children together or in the same bathwater if one of
the children has
diarrhea. When swimming, try to avoid swallowing water.
- Wash fruits and vegetables well and avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.
More about food-borne
illnesses 
Back
|
