Saturday 28 May 2011

Sources of Contamination from the Human Body

There are many types of bacteria living on the human body.From the eyes,to the skin to the nose and to the gastrointestinal tract. Everyday things like scratching your eyes to just a simple touch on the skin dislodges bacteria to your hands.

It is therefore important to wash your hands everytime after sneezing,coughing,scartching or using the toilet.

As the picture shows,there are 4 pathogenic bacteria that is growing in the gastrointestinal tract.There are many more but these are the ones that is the main cause for foodborne ilnesses. If we do not wash our hands after we use the toilet,these bacteria will stay on our hands and then it will get transferred to the food we handled.

One bacteria that is the main cause of concern here is Escherichia Coli. E.Coli if it enters the mouth via food,it will release toxins in the body and causes food poisoning.Symptoms will include stomach cramps,diarrhoea,bloody stools,fever and nausea.

The hair,nose and the skin have the same flora all together.Staphylococcus Aureus is the other main cause of  concern here. There are many cases of food infection which is related to S.Aureus due to unwashed hands or unsanitized counter tops,plates or cutleries.Symptoms of the infection includes nausea,stomach cramps,diarrhoea and headache.

Therefore,it is important for food handlers to follow strict hygiene rules and have good personal hygiene.Good personal hygiene includes...
  • Wearing a hairnet or a cap to prevent the hair from dropping into the food 
  • Washing of hands before and after food preparation
  • Tie the hair neatly and make sure no lose strands are dangling
  • Wash hands before and after using the toilet,scratching and coughing or sneezing.
  • Cover nose or mouth when coughing and sneezing

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