FOOD POISONING

CANTALOUPE

Cantaloupe has a rough outer skin and grows on the ground. Salmonella contaminates the outside. The inner fruit becomes contaminated when the cantaloupe is sliced. The outside should be decontaminated before slicing.

GARLIC-IN-OIL

Garlic-in-oil is a mixture of vegetable oil and either whole, chopped or minced garlic. When it is consumed right away, it is a safe product. If it is kept refrigerated on a continuous basis and used within a week, it is a safe product, because the growth of bacteria and the production of toxins can be slowed down by refrigeration.

Garlic-in-oil stored at room temperature or kept refrigerated for too long can result in contamination by the bacteria spores that cause botulism. Clostridium botulinum spores are widespread in nature, but seldom cause problems because they cannot grow if exposed to oxygen and cannot produce the toxins that make people sick.

However, when garlic containing the bacteria is covered with oil, oxygen is not present. This means that conditions are ideal for the spores to grow and produce toxins.

There will be no obvious signs that the garlic-in-oil is spoiled and dangerous. It will still look, smell and taste the same.

By eating garlic-in-oil that contains these toxins, you can acquire botulism, a potentially fatal food poisoning that may cause the following symptoms: dizziness; blurred or double vision; difficulty in swallowing, breathing and speaking; and paralysis that worsens with time.

Check the label on commercially prepared garlic-in-oil products. If salt or acids are in the list of ingredients, the product has been preserved. Follow the directions for storing the product.

Finally, unless you were involved in the making of the garlic-in-oil, do not consume it.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/hamburger.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/turkey.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/salmonella.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/sprouts.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/summer_food.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/food/juice.html

FOOD POISONING

by Robert A. Kroboth www.citizengadfly.com

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