Have you ever seen a little kid drop his sucker on the
ground, pick it up, and then continue licking away? It
doesn't matter to that little kid that there could be dirt
or germs on his lollipop, because he picked it up in less
than five seconds; the child believes it is still safe.
Many grown adults also believe this urban myth, commonly
referred to as the "Five-Second Rule." This food myth is
completely inaccurate and must not be believed when it
comes to proper food safety. Exercising good judgment when
it comes to food preparation is extremely important to our
health. There are many actions we can take to improve our
health through our food safety habits, including not using
or eating foods that have touched the floor, preparing eggs
properly and handling produce carefully.
The comforting "Five-Second Rule" that many have adopted in
our culture, is an odd, but reassuring thought because it
allows us the ability to undo the small mistake of losing
something we were about to eat, as long as we move quick
enough. We have embraced this "rule" because it serves as a
remedy for our regret after we dropped the last cookie or
that tender piece of meat. Unfortunately, it does not
matter how fast we can move to grab that piece of food,
because we will never be quicker than bacteria. Viruses and
bacteria are present virtually everywhere, especially in
kitchens. They cling to items upon contact; even a brief,
millisecond encounter is enough time for bacteria to grab
onto the new host and settle in.
In addition to not eating food right after it has touched
the floor, it is also imperative that we cook and handle
our food appropriately. Eggs are among one of the most
commonly eaten yet improperly prepared foods. The U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that egg-associated
illness caused by bacteria, called Salmonella, is a serious
public health issue. Individuals infected with Salmonella
may suffer short term or chronic arthritis, mild to severe
gastrointestinal illness, and possibly death. In order to
avoid the chances of food borne illness, fresh eggs should
be carefully handled. Even eggs with shells that appear
clean and without cracks may contain Salmonella, which may
lead to intestinal infections. Consumers play a large role
in the prevention of this illness. The most efficient
approach to preventing egg-related illness is to be aware
of the safe ways to buy, handle, store and cook eggs, or
food containing eggs. This is why the FDA has actually
required that all egg cartons have a statement on the
packaging that reads, "Safe Handling Instructions: To
prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook
eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs
thoroughly".
While reaching proper temperatures for the safety of eggs
is important, fruits and vegetables have a different set of
standards by which to abide. Harmful bacteria that might
have been present in the soil or water where the fruit of
vegetable was grown may come in contact with the fresh
produce and contaminate it. In addition to becoming
contaminated during growth, fresh produce may become
tainted after harvesting, perhaps during preparation or
storage. When you buy fresh produce, look for produce
without bruises or that does not look damaged. If you like
to buy freshly cut produce, like half watermelons, or a bag
of mixed lettuce, choose only items that have been
refrigerated or are surrounded by ice. It is also a wise
idea to package fresh fruits and vegetables separately from
poultry, seafood, or meat products when bagging items to
take home from the market.
The FDA has put in place many guidelines for food
producers, resulting in stricter standards for the
manufacture of food products. However, it is ultimately up
to the consumer to practice proper food safet habits. By
choosing not to follow the contemporary wisdom of the
"Five-Second Rule," but following the guidelines for
cooking our eggs thoroughly and selecting safe produce, we
can rest assured we have taken several steps in the right
direction when it comes to food safety.
----------------------------------------------------
Courtney attends Utah State University and is a writer for
http://www.sweetlyyou.com where you can create unique
customized bath and body gift sets.
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