Even if it is a slight drizzle or a heavy downpour, monsoon brings along with it a refreshing change in weather. However, the risk of getting foodborne illnesses also spikes drastically in the rainy season. The deadly combination of heightened humidity and fluctuating temperatures creates an ideal environment for fungi, bacteria, and virus to thrive. One of the most common health issues that strikes people is food poisoning. Recently, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor was hospitalized due to food poisoning, bringing the health issue into the spotlight. To ensure your and your family’s safety during this weather, you must know how to prevent food poisoning in monsoon.

What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning, as the name suggests, is a kind of food-borne illness or sickness people catch after consuming some contaminated food. The root cause is the germs or harmful bacteria in the food or beverage. It is usually not a serious condition and can get better within a few days, with or even without treatment, by exercising precaution.

Some of the common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Pain in the stomach and cramps
• Diarrhea with blood in the stool
• Fever
• Headache

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food poisoning from E. coli, Salmonella and other contaminants are very common during rainy season. Contaminated food is one of the causes of food poisoning, diarrhea, dysentery and cholera cases, and therefore, requires necessary care when it comes to preparation, storage and hygiene.

How to prevent food poisoning in monsoon?

Here are some tips through which you can keep yourself safe this monsoon:

1. Prioritise food hygiene

Maintaining hygiene is extremely important in preventing foodborne illnesses. Make it a point to wash your hands well-using soap and water before you touch or consume any food. Maintain hygiene in your kitchen as well as where the food is cooked. Keep all your kitchen surfaces, chopping boards, and utensils clean regularly to avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and raw meats to mitigate the risk of contamination even more.

2. Opt for fresh ingredients

Always handpick fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever you can. Refrain from purchasing pre-cut fruits and vegetables from street vendors as they are likely to be contaminated. While buying meat, fish and poultry, make sure they are fresh and well-kept at the right temperature. Also, while buying packed foods, always check for expiration dates or any signs of spoilage.

3. Cook your ingredients well

When you cook your food at the right temperature, it ensures that the harmful bacteria and viruses get killed. Only consume well-cooked meat, poultry, and seafood items, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods. For more caution, you can use a food thermometer to verify the internal temperature of cooked foods, ensuring that they are at a safe level. For instance, the ideal internal temperature for poultry is 165 degrees F (74 degrees Celsius).

4. Store your food properly

Food, if not stored properly, has a higher chance of getting contaminated in monsoon. Refrigerate perishable food items as quickly as possible and try not to leave cooked food outside at room temperature for long. You can also use airtight containers to store leftover food in the refrigerator. Also, make sure your refrigerator is set at the right temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

5. Keep yourself hydrated with safe drinking water

Water gets contaminated easily during monsoon and that becomes a major reason for foodborne illnesses. Make it a point to only drink filtered water or boiled water. Do not use ice cubes from unreliable sources and give homemade ice using purified water preference. Also, avoid buying beverages from street vendors, for their water quality might be questionable.

6. Say no to street food

We are always feel tempted to eat street food, but it is best to stay away from it in the monsoon season. Most street vendors mostly fail to maintain consistent hygiene standards. Even if you feel like eating street food, go for vendors that have visibly cleaner stalls. Go for freshly cooked, hot items and avoid consuming raw foods from the street.

7. Dairy products can be a concern

Dairy foods are most prone to spoilage during monsoon. Make sure that your milk and milk-based items are pasteurized and stored at the right temperature. Any dairy product that has been left out at room temperature for long should be avoided. Also, check for expiration dates and proper sealing while buying dairy items.

8. Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables

Even if you buy your groceries from the best vendors, chances are that they might carry harmful pesticides and bacteria during monsoon. Whatever raw food you purchase from outside, wash it well under running water before consumption. Leafy greens can be soaked in a solution of water and vinegar to get rid of any residual contaminants. Peeling fruits can also curb the risk of ingesting toxic substances from the skin.

9. Stay up-to-date about food recalls

Keep a close tab on the food safety alerts issued by health authorities. This information can rescue you from consuming contaminated products. You can subscribe to food safety newsletters or follow government agencies on social media to keep a check for timely updates.

10. Handle your food safely

Lastly, always try and learn safe food handling techniques. Serve the food with clean utensils and plates, and do not use the same utensils for raw and cooked items. Whenever you doubt the safety of any food consumption, it is better to discard it than risk getting a foodborne illness.