How to prevent food poisoning at your party!

Posted by: Area Tent & Canvas on 07/07/2011

Food poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins made by these germs. Most cases of food poisoning are from common bacteria such as Staphylococcus or E. coli. Food poisoning can affect one person or a group of people who all ate the same contaminated food. It more commonly occurs after eating at picnics, school cafeterias, large social functions, or restaurants.

More than 250 known diseases can be transmitted through food. The Center of Disease Control estimates unknown or undiscovered agents cause 68% of all food-borne illnesses and related hospitalizations.

The symptoms from the most common types of food poisoning generally start within 2 - 6 hours of eating the food. That time may be longer (even a number of days) or shorter, depending on the cause of the food poisoning. Possible symptoms include: abdominal cramps, fever and chills, headache, nausea and vomiting and weakness.

To prevent food poisoning, take the following steps when preparing food: