National Food Safety Month: How To Protect Yourself Against Food Poisoning In Naples

September was National Food Safety Month and focused on a dangerous problem that impacts millions each year. Foodborne illness, or food poisoning, causes symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. It happens due to recklessness in food processing, preparation, or storage. Our Naples personal injury lawyer explains more about food poisoning risks, how to protect yourself, and your rights in filing a claim.

Food Poisoning In Naples: Common Foodborne Illnesses

National Food Safety Month is held annually in September. The goal is to educate both food professionals and the public on the importance of food safety. Mistakes in how food is handled, packaged, transported, prepared, or stored can cause serious illnesses that may prove fatal for some people. Unfortunately, outbreaks occur regularly.

The recent Boar’s Head listeria outbreak is an example of how widespread and harmful food-borne illnesses can be. According to a September AP News report, the company recalled over seven million pounds of deli meats due to listeria, a hardy bacteria that spreads easily.

Unfortunately, the recall only happened after close to a hundred people in several states became seriously ill from eating contaminated lunch meat. As many as ten people have died, including a victim in Florida, making it the deadliest listeria outbreak since 2011.

Listeria is one of several foodborne contaminants that can cause potentially life-threatening food poisoning in Naples. Norovirus, Salmonella, E.coli, and giardia are other common culprits. Symptoms include:

• Stomach cramps and diarrhea;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Fever;
• Headaches and body aches;
• Dehydration and loss of appetite.

In some cases, victims of food poisoning may not be aware that they have it, as symptoms can be mild and typically resolve in several days. However, in others, food poisoning can prove fatal. Children, pregnant women, older adults, and those who have a compromised immune system are at high risk.

Protecting Yourself Against Food Poisoning In Naples

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 50 million people suffer a foodborne illness in the U.S. each year. The Collier County Health Department warns that it can happen at restaurants, stores, schools, nursing homes, or anywhere food is served. Ways to protect yourself include:

• Check that the places you eat or purchase food from score well on health department inspections;
• Thoroughly wash your hands before eating and after handling food;
• Make sure certain foods, particularly eggs, pork, and poultry, are cooked to their proper temperatures;
• Take steps to keep food prep areas clean and avoid cross-contamination;
• Avoid eating foods that are off-colored or have an unusual smell or texture.

When food poisoning happens and causes severe, life-threatening illness, businesses can be held accountable. Boar’s Head faces thousands of lawsuits in the aftermath of the recent listeria outbreak.

Request A Consultation Today With Our Experienced Naples Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love suffers a foodborne illness in Naples, those at fault can be held accountable. To discuss your rights in a claim, contact Cardinal Law, P.A. Request a consultation with our experienced Naples personal injury lawyer today.

Sources:

foodsafetyfocus.com/national-food-safety-month-2024

apnews.com/article/listeria-boars-head-recall-d57985525441b6c5dffd310769b0e6c5

fda.gov/files/food/published/Most-Common-Foodborne-Illnesses-%28PDF%29.pdf

cdc.gov/foodborneburden/index.html

collier.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/food-hygiene/index.html