Food contamination risk higher during Christmas
- 9 years ago
Some Filipino families love to dine out during the holidays, and flock to restaurants or malls to celebrate.
However, experts warned, there is a higher chance for restaurant staff to neglect sanitation during the holidays, due to the large number of customers vying for attention. This could potentially lead to food contamination.
Experts said restaurant food, just like any other food, can be contaminated by disease-causing bacteria if improperly handled.
"Kapag kumakain po tayo sa labas, hindi natin alam paano hinahanda yung pagkain, lalo na po ngayong holiday season, maraming maraming pagkain na inihahanda sa restaurant dahil maraming pumupunta. Syempre mataas yung risk ng contamination (Whenever we dine out, we do not know how our food is prepared. Sometimes, due to the huge demand and number of customers, restaurants may compromise sanitary practices during preparation, hence a higher risk of contamination)," said microbiologist Dr. Pie Vital.
According to experts, bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Vibrio, Shigella, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus are among types of bacteria known to cause foodborne illnesses in humans. These food can be found anywhere from restaurant food to improperly prepared homemade meals.
Experts said these bacteria, if induced alongside contaminated food, can cause gastrointestinal diseases including fever, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.
While most of these bacteria can be found in improperly washed or half-cooked dishes, another potential source of bacteria is contact with contaminated objects.
Experts said one possible source of contamination is a dirty kitchen cleaner such as the kitchen sponge.
As restaurant kitchens often have a massive pile of dishes that need to be washed, a single kitchen sponge will be used on several dirty dishes. If not cleaned frequently, it can be an agent of disease-causing bacteria.
"'Yung iba pa nga yung kitchen top, di ba sa sink mismo ginagamit yung same sponge, so yung cr
However, experts warned, there is a higher chance for restaurant staff to neglect sanitation during the holidays, due to the large number of customers vying for attention. This could potentially lead to food contamination.
Experts said restaurant food, just like any other food, can be contaminated by disease-causing bacteria if improperly handled.
"Kapag kumakain po tayo sa labas, hindi natin alam paano hinahanda yung pagkain, lalo na po ngayong holiday season, maraming maraming pagkain na inihahanda sa restaurant dahil maraming pumupunta. Syempre mataas yung risk ng contamination (Whenever we dine out, we do not know how our food is prepared. Sometimes, due to the huge demand and number of customers, restaurants may compromise sanitary practices during preparation, hence a higher risk of contamination)," said microbiologist Dr. Pie Vital.
According to experts, bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Vibrio, Shigella, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus are among types of bacteria known to cause foodborne illnesses in humans. These food can be found anywhere from restaurant food to improperly prepared homemade meals.
Experts said these bacteria, if induced alongside contaminated food, can cause gastrointestinal diseases including fever, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.
While most of these bacteria can be found in improperly washed or half-cooked dishes, another potential source of bacteria is contact with contaminated objects.
Experts said one possible source of contamination is a dirty kitchen cleaner such as the kitchen sponge.
As restaurant kitchens often have a massive pile of dishes that need to be washed, a single kitchen sponge will be used on several dirty dishes. If not cleaned frequently, it can be an agent of disease-causing bacteria.
"'Yung iba pa nga yung kitchen top, di ba sa sink mismo ginagamit yung same sponge, so yung cr