Holiday Season approaching...
It might not be the flu...
Some facts about Foodborne Illness...
| Attorney
of the Year 2004  Brian Chase |
What Is Foodborne
Illness?
Foodborne illness often presents itself as flu-like symptoms such
as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, so many people may not
recognize the illness is caused by bacteria or other pathogens in
food.
How Bacteria Get in Food
Bacteria may be present on products when you purchase them. Plastic-wrapped
boneless chicken breasts and ground meat, for example, were once
part of live chickens or cattle. Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and
eggs are not sterile. Neither is fresh produce such as lettuce,
tomatoes, sprouts, and melons.
Foods, including safely cooked, ready-to-eat foods, can become cross-contaminated with bacteria transferred from raw products, meat juices or other contaminated products, or from food handlers with poor personal hygiene.
The "Danger Zone"Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F. To keep food out of this "danger zone," keep cold food cold and hot food hot.
- Store food in the refrigerator (40°F or below) or freezer (0°F or below).
- Cook food to 160°F (145°F for roasts, steaks, and chops of beef, veal, and lamb).
- Maintain hot cooked food at 140°F or above.
- When reheating cooked food, reheat to 165°F.
In Case of Suspected Foodborne Illness
Follow these general guidelines:
-
Preserve the evidence. If a portion of the suspect
food is available, wrap it securely, mark "DANGER" and freeze
it. Save all the packaging materials, such as cans or cartons.
Write down the food type, the date, other identifying marks on
the package, the time consumed, and when the onset of symptoms
occurred. Save any identical unopened products.
-
Seek treatment as necessary. If the victim is
in an "at risk" group, seek medical care immediately. Likewise,
if symptoms persist or are severe (such as bloody diarrhea, excessive
nausea and vomiting, or high temperature), call your doctor.
-
Call the right organization. Separate government
agencies are responsible for protecting different segments of
the food supply. If you have experienced a problem with a food
product, be sure to contact the appropriate public health organization.
For Help With Meat, Poultry And Egg Products...
Call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854); for the hearing-impaired (TTY) 1-800-256-7072.For additional food safety information about meat, poultry, or egg products, The Hotline is staffed by food safety experts weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. You can listen to food safety recordings 24 hours a day using a touch-tone phone.
For Help With Restaurant Food Problems...
Call the Health Department in your city, county or state. View a complete listing of Departments of Public Health at http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states.
For Help With Non-Meat Food Products (Cereals, Fish, Produce, Fruit Juice, Pastas, Cheeses, etc)...
For complaints about food products which do not contain meat or poultry -- such as cereal -- call or write to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Check your local phone book under U.S. Government, Health and Human Services, to find an FDA office in your area. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition can be reached at 1-888-723-3366.The Bottom Line:
If you sense there's a problem with any food product, don't consume
it. "When in doubt, throw it out."
It was a Really Good Week for Attorney Brian Chase!
During the same week that Mr. Chase received the “Personal Injury Attorney of the Year Award”, by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association for his outstanding work in Product Liability cases, he was interviewed for ABC World Tonight with Peter Jennings regarding his multiple lawsuits against the automaker Ford for auto defects.And during that same week Brian successfully concluded two major cases; a van rollover case against Ford that resulted in the client’s paralysis and a multiple seven figure lawsuit against Cal Trans for unsafe road conditions that resulted in death and multiple catastrophic injuries.
Not bad for a week’s work Mr. Chase!
VIOXX UPDATE
We are currently representing over 100 people who have suffered very serious VIOXX side effects or have lost a loved one to VIOXX use.If you or a loved one has suffered as the result of taking VIOXX, please call us immediately to discuss your case. We will evaluate your case for free.
If you have important information, or an empowering or funny story that you would like to share with my readers please email it directly to me at: jbisnar@bestattorney.com.
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