Contracting Food Poisoning

By Ayesha Salim

Many people do not realise how easy it is to contract food poisoning if they are not careful. Although most restaurants and cafes are very careful in preparing food for their customers, some fail the hygiene test causing their customers to contract the bacteria. Some of the cases of food poisoning can vary from being relatively minor to being quite serious.

Food poisoning commonly occurs when an individual eats or drinks something that is infected with some form of chemicals or parasites. However, the most commonly reported form of food poisoning is bacterial poisoning. Bacterial poisoning usually occurs when the food has not been heated, stored, or cooked properly. Bad hygiene on the parts of the chefs preparing food can also be a contributing factor. Some restaurants fail in washing hands before and after handling food, or using unclean kitchen utensils.

What are some of the symptoms of food poisoning?

As everyone's body reacts differently to food poisoning, there are no hard and fast rules on how soon you will become ill after contracting the bacteria. Some people become ill straight away, whilst others may take a few days. How ill a person gets will depend on how healthy the individual is, and the seriousness of the food poisoning itself. Some are able to recover quite quickly, whilst others take longer. Symptoms of food poisoning can vary from case to case, but usually involve vomiting, stomach upsets, dehydration, and fever. Usually these can be cleared up with the right medication. However, some of the more serious cases of food poisoning can lead to death.

E-Coli food poisoning

This type of bacteria is found in the lower intestines of healthy mammals. If this bacteria is transferred to food it can cause food poisoning if ingested. A way to avoid this from happening is to make sure that you wash and cook food thoroughly. Washing your hands after touching the food will also be an extra precaution to avoid transferring the bacteria to other food through touch.

Salmonella food poisoning

Salmonella bacteria is usually found in meat and poultry, eggs, and unpasteurised milk. It can also be found in seafood such as prawns and sushi. The same precautions as E-Coli poisoning should be taken here. Firstly, it is important that you heat food thoroughly, particularly with regards to meat. Secondly, it is also important to wash hands thoroughly after handling the food to avoid transferring the bacteria to other food.

Salmonella food poisoning is particularly hard to get rid of once ingested, and has the potential of causing serious long-term health problems. The elderly are especially vulnerable as are the ones with a history of health problems.

Am I entitled to make a claim?

You may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim if you suspect that your food poisoning was caused as a result of another person's negligence. You may also be able to make a claim if you contracted food poisoning whilst abroad on a package holiday.

If you have suffered food poisoning, you should keep hold of any medical evidence from your doctor, and retain any receipts from the cafe or restaurant you suspect caused your food poisoning. Our solicitors will assess your case and help you in your claim. - 31397

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