SENIORS AND FOOD SAFETY
INTERNATIONAL
FOOD SAFETY CONSULTANCY
DR WILLEM MARSMAN
PREVENTING FOODBORNE ILLNESS
Why are Seniors
At-risk for Foodborne Illness?
Four Simple
Steps to Preparing Food at Home
Eating Out and
Bringing Food Home
Taking Care
of Infants and Young Children
Why are Seniors At-Risk for Foodborne Illness?
Dr. James L. Smith, a microbiologist with the US Department of Agriculture, wanted to find out the answer to the question of why seniors are more at risk for foodborne illness.
So he reviewed data from foodborne outbreaks at nursing homes, and compared the immune and digestive systems of seniors and younger individuals as well as evaluating the overall physical wellbeing of seniors. What he found is most interesting.
The Immune System and Aging
As we age, the ability of our immune system to function at normal levels decreases. The immune system is one of the most important mechanisms for fighting disease and preserving health, so a decrease in the level of disease-fighting cells is a significant factor in the number of infections that may occur.
In addition to the normal decrease in the function of the immune system as part of the aging process, undergoing major surgery also affects the body’s ability to fight off infections.
To counteract the affects of aging on the immune system, long-term regular exercise is important.
The Gastrointestinal Tract and Aging
As we age, inflammation of the lining of the stomach and a decrease in stomach acid occur. Because the stomach plays an important role in limiting the number of bacteria that enter the small intestine, a decrease or loss of stomach acidity increases the likelihood of infection if a pathogen is ingested with food or water.
Also adding to the problem is the slow down of the digestive process, allowing for the rapid growth of pathogens in the gut and the possible formation of toxins.
Malnutrition and Aging
You maybe wondering what malnutrition has to do with foodborne illness. There is a connection. Malnutrition leads to increased incidence of infections, including those that result from foodborne bacteria.
There are many reasons why malnutrition occurs in seniors. There may be a decrease in the pleasure of eating. Medication, digestive disorders, chronic illnesses, physical disabilities or depression may result in a loss of appetite.
Good nutrition is an important factor in maintaining a healthy immune system.
Symptoms of Foodborne Illness
Common symptoms of foodborne illness include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, sometimes blood or pus in the stools, headache, vomiting and severe exhaustion. However, symptoms will vary according to the type of bacteria and by the amount of contaminants eaten.
Symptoms may come on as early as half-hour after eating the contaminated food or they may not develop for several days or weeks. They usually last only a day or two, but in some cases can persist a week to 10 days. For most healthy people, foodborne illnesses are neither long lasting nor life threatening. However, they can be severe in seniors.
In Case of Foodborne Illness
If you suspect that your of a family member has foodborne illness follow these general guidelines:
- Preserve the evidence. If a portion of the suspect food is available, wrap it securely, mark “DANGER” and refrigerate it. Save all the packaging materials, such as cans or cartons. Write down the food type, the date, and time consumed, and when the symptoms started. Save any identical unopened products.
- Seek treatment immediately.
- Call the local health department if the suspect food was served at a large gathering, from a restaurant or other food service facility, or if it is a commercial product.
What’s a Senior to Eat?
Nutritionists agree that a healthful diet includes a variety of foods. Food choices also can help reduce the risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes, stroke and osteoporosis, that are the leading cause of death and disability among Americans. But for seniors, certain foods may pose a significant health hazard because of the level of bacteria present in the product’s raw or uncooked state.
Seniors should avoid these
products:
Raw fin fish and shellfish, including oysters,
clams, mussels and scallops.
Raw or unpasteurised milk or cheese.
Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert,
blue-veined, and Mexican-style cheese.
(Hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheeses, cottage cheeses or
yoghurt need not be avoided).
Raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products
including salad dressings, cookie or cake batter, sauces, and beverages such as
egg nog.
Raw meat or poultry.
Raw alfalfa sprouts which have only recently
emerged as a recognised source of foodborne illness.
Unpasteurised or untreated fruit or
vegetable juice. When fruits and
vegetables are made into fresh-squeezed juice, harmful bacteria that may be
present can become part of the finished product. Most juice in the United States, 98 percent, is pasteurised or
otherwise treated to kill harmful bacteria.
To help consumers identify unpasteurised or untreated juices, the Food
and Drug Administration is requiring a warning label on these products. The label says:
WARNING:
This product has not been pasteurised and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
To Market, To Market
Prevention of foodborne illness starts with your trip to the supermarket. Pick up your packaged and canned foods first. Don’t buy food in cans that are bulging or dented or in jars that are cracked or have loose or bulging lids. Look for any expiration dates on the labels and never buy outdated foods. Likewise, check the “use by” or “sell by” dates on dairy products such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, yoghurt and sour cream and pick the ones that will stay fresh longest in your refrigerator.
Choose eggs that are refrigerated in the
store. Before putting them in your
cart, open the carton and make sure that none are cracked or leaking.
Save to the last frozen foods and perishables
such as meat, poultry or fish. Always
put these products in separate plastic bags to that drippings don’t contaminate
other foods in your shopping cart.
Check for cleanliness at the meat or
fish counter and the salad bar. For
instance, cooked shrimp lying on the same bed of ice as raw fish could be
contaminated. When buying from a salad
bar, avoid fruits and vegetables that look brownish, slimy or dried out. These are signs that the product has been
held at an improper temperature.
When shopping for shellfish, buy from
markets that get their supplies from state-approved sources; stay clear
of vendors who sell shellfish from roadside stands or the back of a truck. And if you’re planning to harvest your own
shellfish, heed posted warning about the safety of water.
Take an ice chest along to keep frozen and
perishable foods cold if it will take more than two
hours to get your groceries home.
Four Simple Steps to Preparing Food Safely at Home
Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often
Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, sponges and counter tops. Here’s how to Fight BAC:
Wash your hands with hot soapy water before
handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets.
Wash your cutting board, dishes, utensils and
counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you
go on to the next food.
Use plastic or other non-porous cutting
boards. These boards should be run
through the dishwasher – or washed in hot soapy water – after use.
Consider using paper towels to clean up
kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth
towels, wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.
Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate
Cross-contamination is the scientific word for how bacteria
can be spread from one food product to another. This is especially true when handling raw meat, poultry and
seafood, so keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat
foods. Here’s how to Fight BAC:
Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from
other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
If possible, use a different cutting board or
raw meat products.
Always wash hands, cutting boards, dishes and
utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw meat, poultry
and seafood.
Never place cooked food on a plate which
previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.
Cook: Cook to proper temperatures
Food safety experts agree that foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. The best way to Fight BAC is to:
Use a clean thermometer, which measures
the internal temperature of cooked foods, to make sure meat, poultry,
casseroles and other foods are cooked all the way through.
Cook roasts and steaks to at least 145°F. Whole poultry should be cooked to 180°F for
doneness.
Cook ground beef, where bacteria can spread
during processing, to at least 160°F. Information
from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) link eating
undercooked, pink ground beef with a higher risk of illness. If a thermometer is not available, do not
eat ground beef that is still pink inside.
Cook eggs until the yolk and white are
firm. Don’t use recipes in which eggs
remain raw or only partially cooked.
Fish should be opaque and flake easily with a
fork.
When cooking in a microwave oven, make sure
there are no cold spots in food where bacteria can survive. For best results, cover food, stir and
rotate for even cooking. If there is no
turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking.
Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil when
reheating. Heat other leftovers
thoroughly to 165°F.
Chill: Refrigerate promptly
Refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures keep harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. So, set your refrigerator no higher than 40°F and the freezer unit at 0°F. Checking these temperatures occasionally with an appliance thermometer. Then, Fight BAC by following these steps:
Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared
food and leftover within two hours.
Never defrost food at room temperature. Thaw food in the refrigerator, under cold
running water or in the microwave.
Marinate foods in the refrigerator.
Divide large amounts of leftovers into
small, shallow containers for quick cooling in the refrigerator.
Don’t pack the refrigerator. Cool air must circulate to keep food
safe.
Additional Tips – Safe Handling of Fruits and Vegetables
Wash hands with warm water and
soap for at least 20
seconds before and after handling food, especially fresh
whole fruits and vegetables and raw meat, poultry and fish.
Clean under fingernails, too.
Rinse raw produce in water. Don’t use soap or other
detergents. If necessary, and appropriate, use a small scrub
brush to remove surface dirt.
Use
smooth, durable and non-absorbent cutting boards that can
be cleaned and sanitized easily.
Wash cutting boards with hot
water, soap and a scrub
brush to remove food particles. Then sanitise the boards by
putting them through the automatic dishwasher or rinsing
them in a solution of 1 teaspoon (5 millilitres) of chlorine
bleach to 1 quart (about 1 litre) of water. Always wash
boards and knives after cutting raw meat, poultry or
seafood and before cutting another food to prevent cross-
contamination.
Store cut, peeled and broken-apart
fruits and vegetables
(such as melon balls) at or below 41°F (5°C) that is, in the
refrigerator.
Apply the Heat…. And Fight BAC
Cooking food to the proper temperature kills harmful bacteria. This includes raw meat, poultry, fish and eggs, as well as foods that are thoroughly cooked upon purchase, but that may become contaminated during storage or handling.
Re-heat ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products until they are steaming hot. If you cannot re-heat these foods, do not eat them.
Thoroughly cook other foods as follows:
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Raw Food Ground Products Hamburger Beef, veal, lamb, pork Chicken, turkey Beef, Veal, Lamb Roasts and Steaks Medium-Rare Medium Well-done Pork Chops, roast, ribs Medium Well-done Ham, fresh Sausage, fresh Poultry Chicken, whole and pieces Duck Turkey (unstuffed) Whole Breast Dark Meat Stuffing (cooked separately) Eggs Fried, poached Casseroles |
Internal Temperature 160°F 160°F 165°F 145°F 160°F 170°F 160°F 170°F 160°F 160°F 180°F 180°F 180°F 180°F 170°F 180°F 165°F Yolk and white are firm 160°F |
When Someone Else is the Cook …..
(eating out and bringing home food)
Let’s face it. Sometimes it’s just easier and more enjoyable to let someone else do the cooking. And for today’s seniors there are many eating options. All of these options, however, do have food safety implications that you need to be aware of.
Complete Meals to Go
And Home Delivered Meals
When you want to eat at home but don’t feel like cooking or aren’t able to, where do you turn?
Many convenience foods, including meals to go,
are experiencing runaway popularity.
Purchased from grocery stores, delis or
restaurants, some meals are hot and some are cold.
Ordering delivered meals from restaurants or
restaurant-delivery services is an option many consumers like to take advantage
of.
And of course, for those who qualify, there
are programs like Meals on Wheels that provide a ready-prepared meal each day.
Hot or cold ready-prepared meals are perishable and can cause illness when mishandled. Proper handling is essential to ensure the food is safe.
The 2-Hour Rule
Harmful bacteria can grow rapidly in the “danger zone” (between 40 and 140 degrees F). So remember the 2-hour rule. Discard any perishable foods left at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
When you purchase hot cooked food, keep it hot. Eat and enjoy your food within 2 hours to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying. If you are not eating within 2 hours, keep your food in the oven set at a high enough temperature to keep the food at or above 140 degrees F. (Use a food thermometer to check the temperature). Stuffing and side dishes must also stay hot. Covering food with foil will help keep it moist.
Rather than keeping cooked food warming in an oven for an extended period of time, cooked foods will taste better if you refrigerate them and then re-heat when you are ready to eat.
Divide meat or poultry into small portions to
refrigerate or freeze.
Refrigerate or freeze gravy, potatoes, and
other vegetables in shallow containers.
Remove stuffing from whole cooked poultry and
refrigerate.
Cold food should also be eaten within 2 hours or refrigerated or frozen for eating another time.
Reheating?
You may wish to reheat your meal, whether it was purchased hot and then refrigerated or purchased cold initially.
Heat thoroughly to 165°F until hot and steaming.
Bring gravy to a rolling boil.
If heating in a microwave oven, cover food and
rotate dish so it heats evenly.
Inadequate heating in the microwave can
contribute to illness. Consult your
owner’s manual for complete instructions.
Eating Out
Whether you’re eating out at an upscale restaurant, a Senior Centre, or a fast food diner, this can be both a safe and enjoyable experience if you take the same precautions yo would if you were eating at home.
All food service establishments are required to follow sanitation guidelines set by state and local health departments to ensure cleanliness and good hygiene. However, when you go out to eat, look at how clean things are before you even sit down. Are the tables, dinnerware, and bathrooms neat and tidy? If not, it may be better to dine somewhere else. A dirty dining room nay indicate a dirty kitchen, and a dirty kitchen may lead to unsafe food.
Seniors need to avoid the same foods in restaurants that they avoid at home. If you are unsure about the ingredients in particular dish, ask before ordering it.
No matter where you at out, always order your food “well done”. Remember the foods like meat, poultry, fish and eggs need to be cooked thoroughly to kill off harmful bacteria. When you’re served a meal, check how well it’s cooked before you eat it. Make sure it’s served to you piping hot and thoroughly cooked, and if it’s not, send it back.
The Doggie Bag
It seems like meal portions are getting bigger and bigger these days. Which means that there is another meal waiting for another day. Care must be taken when handling these leftovers.
If you will not be arriving home within 2 hours of finishing your meal, it is safer to leave the leftovers at the restaurant.
Also, remember that the inside of a car can get very warm. Bacteria may grow rapidly, so it is always safer to go directly home after eating and put your leftovers in the refrigerator.
Some Senior Centres that provide meals do not allow food to be taken away from the site because they know how east it is for bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels when food is left unrefrigerated too long. Check with your centre for its policy on taking leftovers home.
When Grandparent Take Care of Grandchildren:
What you need to know about food safety and young children
You’ve probably seen the t-shirts that read: “If I’d known how much fun it is to have grandchildren, I would have had them first.” Well, it is fun when grandchildren come to visit, or if you regularly lend a hand with their care. But as you know, the care and feeding of grandchildren is also a major responsibility.
Many of the feeding practices you probably used with your own children are no longer advocated for today’s infants and toddlers. So let’s take a look at the food safety implications of feeding that special new person in your life.
The Latest, Safest Information on Feeding Infants and Young Children
Keep it Clean – Always begin formula and food preparation by washing your hands. According to a Penn State University study of mothers with infants less than 4 months old,
32% said they don’t wash their hands after
changing their baby’s diaper;
about 15% said they don’t wash their hands
after they went to the bathroom;
about 10% don’t wash their hands after
handling raw meat;
about 41% don’t wash their hands after petting
animals; and
about 5% didn’t wash their hands after
gardening or working with soil.
Did you know that not washing hands could result in infant diarrhea because: Bacteria can grow
on diapers;
in faeces and urine;
in raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs;
on animals like dogs, cats, turtles, snakes
and birds; and
in soil and water.
Handling Baby’s Food Safely
Harmful bacteria from a baby’s mouth can be introduced into
food or bottles where it can grow and multiply even after refrigeration and
reheating. If the baby does not
finish a bottle, do not put it back in the refrigerator for another time.
Likewise, do not feed a baby from a jar of baby food and put it back in the refrigerator for another time. Saliva on the spoon contaminates the remaining food.
Perishable items like milk, formula or food left out of the refrigerator or without a cold source for more than 2 hours should not be used.
When travelling with baby,
transport bottles and food in an insulated
cooler.
Place the ice chest in the passenger
compartment of the car. It’s cooler
than in the boot.
Use frozen gel packs to keep food or bottles
cold on longer outings.
Do not keep bottles or food in the same bag
with dirty diapers.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for preparing bottles before filling with formula or milk. Observe “Use-by” dates on formula cans. See baby food safe storage chart for detailed information. Don’t feed a baby anything kept longer.
Those interested in health foods may consider using honey as a sweetener to entice babies to drink water from a bottle. Honey is not safe for children less than a year old. It can contain the botulinum organism that could cause illness or death. Raw or unpasteurised milk should not be served to infants and children.
If making homemade baby food, use a brush to clean areas around the blender blades or food processor parts. Old food particles can harbour harmful bacteria that may contaminate other foods.
Use detergent and hot water to wash and rinse all utensils (including the can opener) which comes in contact with baby’s foods.
If using commercial baby foods, check to see if the safety button on the lid is down. If the jar doesn’t “pop” when opened, do not use. Discard jars with chipped glass or rusty lids.
To freeze homemade baby food, put the mixture in an ice cube tray. Cover with heavy duty plastic wrap until the food is frozen. Then pop food cubes into a freezer bag or airtight container and date it. Store up to 3 months. One cube equals one serving.
Small jars can also be used for freezing. Leave about ˝ inch of space at the top because food expands when frozen.
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SAFE STORAGE OF BABY FOOD NOTE: Don’t leave baby food solids or liquids
out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. |
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Refrigerator Freezer |
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Liquids Expressed breast milk 5 days 3-4 months Formula 2 days not recommended Whole milk 5 days 3 months Reconstituted Evaporated milk 3-5 days not recommended SPECIAL HANDLING
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Refrigerator Freezer |
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SOLIDS – opened or freshly made Strained fruits and Vegetables 2-3 days 6-8 months Strained meats and eggs 1 day 1-2 months Meat/vegetable combinations 1-2 days 1-2 months Homemade baby foods 1-2 days 3-4 months SPECIAL HANDLING
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