An Overview of Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illnesses, and Food Handler Training

What is Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, is a health risk caused by foodborne bacteria, viruses and parasites. Over 250 different foodborne illnesses can cause food poisoning.

Web MD

Foodborne Illnesses: Symptoms•Dehydration•Dizziness•Malaise•Nausea•Vomiting•Bloody stool•Stomach cramps•Joint pain•Fever

*Note that people who have foodborne illness-related infections may be asymptomatic for weeks until the sickness manifests. It is best to seek the help of a medical professional when such symptoms arise.

Mayo Clinic

 

Food Poisoning Statistics• One in six Americans (48

million people) get sick from foodborne illnesses every year;

• 128,000 out of these cases were hospitalized;

• From these numbers, 3,000 dies

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Known Pathogens and the Foodborne Illnesses They Cause

• Bacillus cereus - B. cereus food poisoning• Campylobacter jejuni - Campylobacteriosis• Clostridium botulinum - Botulism• Clostridium perfringens - Perfringens food

poisoning

US Food and Drug

Administration

Known Pathogens and the Foodborne Illnesses They Cause

• Cryptosporidium - Intestinal cryptosporidiosis• Cyclospora cayetanensis - Cyclosporiasis• E. coli - E. coli infection (common cause of

“travelers’ diarrhea”)• E. coli O157:H7 - Hemorrhagic

colitis or E. coli O157:H7 infection

US Food and Drug Administration

Known Pathogens and the Foodborne Illnesses They Cause

•Hepatitis A - Hepatitis•Listeria monocytogenes - Listeriosis•Noroviruses – viral gastroenteritis, winter diarrhea, acute non- bacterial gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and food infection•Salmonella - Salmonellosis

 

US Food and Drug Administration

Known Pathogens and the Foodborne Illnesses They Cause • Shigella - Shigellosis or

Bacillary dysentery• Staphylococcus aureus -

Staphylococcal food poisoning• Vibrio parahaemolyticus - V.

parahaemolyticus infection• Vibrio vulnificus – V. vulnificus

infection

US Food and Drug Administration

Where do you get food poisoning?• It strikes just about any time or anywhere—when

and where you least expect it. • Usually happens when an infected food worker or

person handles your food, or a person who did not wash his or hand properly prepares your food.

• Food poisoning also results

from improper food handling,

and not cooking food to safe

temperatures

Learn2Serve

Benefits of Food Handler Training: At a Glance• Saves businesses tens and thousands of dollars

from costly legal pitfalls from class action lawsuits stemming from foodborne illness outbreaks

• Accreditation, compliance• Improved quality of service• Favorable reputation, prestige • More repeat and satisfied customers

Learn2Serve

Benefits of Food Handler Training: In-Depth

Provides food handlers the required skills and knowledge in food safety handling

• With food handler training, workers will gain the necessary skills and knowledge in food preparation, handling, storage, and service. They will learn how to sanitize, avoid cross-contamination and temperature control to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and keep the environment food safe.

Learn2Serve

It’s a training requirement• Having seen the many great benefits of food

handler training, local health authorities, state agencies and unions require food workers within their jurisdiction to complete a state-approved food training program.

• Following successful training completion, a food handler card or certification is issued to the food worker. This certification is a benchmark of their skills and knowledge in food safety.

Learn2Serve

It allows food handlers to conserve food

• When workers know proper food safety procedures, especially with regards to temperature control, kitchen sanitation, and food storage, the whole food facility will waste less food.

Learn2Serve

Improved productivity and employee morale at the workplace• Food workers feel rewarded and enabled

when they know they’re doing the right thing at work due to the knowledge and skills they’ve obtained with food handler training. They’ll perform better at work, which will result to the seamless run of operations.

Learn2Serve

Promotes public safety

• With food safety knowledge comes improved public safety. Most of all, having food workers trained allow restaurants to meet local health inspection requirements.

Learn2Serve

Sources:• http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning

/food-poisoning• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-

poisoning/basics/symptoms/con-20031705• http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers

/ucm103263.htm• http://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/• http://www.learn2serve.com/food-handlers-permit• http

://www.learn2serve.com/blog/the-9-golden-rules-of-food-safety/