Stomach upset after eating holiday food? Warning for waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases such as 'Salmonella'

During holiday periods, cases of people suffering from sudden stomach upsets after eating food sent by family members are frequent. In particular, if hygiene rules are not followed during the food preparation process, there is a risk of exposure to bacteria that cause enteric infections, such as Salmonella.

According to a video from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Don't Get Sick TV, when preparing large quantities of food like holiday meals, meticulous attention is required from the cooking process to storage. In the situation depicted in the video, a grandfather is shown cooking food without washing his hands and leaving cooked food at room temperature, resulting in family members suffering from stomach upsets.

The key is 'handwashing' and 'ingredient management' before and after cooking

The most basic yet important rule to protect the body from waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases is handwashing. The video emphasizes washing hands for more than 30 seconds using soap under running water. Since hands are the part that comes into direct contact with food, it is important to maintain hygiene not only before cooking but also during the cooking process.

Care is also required when handling ingredients. Vegetables and fruits should be washed sufficiently in clean water before consumption, and it is safe to eat food that has been cooked thoroughly to the inside. In particular, hygiene management of cooking tools is also essential. After using knives or cutting boards, they must be disinfected, and using separate cutting boards for different ingredients such as fish, meat, and vegetables is a way to prevent cross-contamination.

Food storage and how to respond when symptoms occur

The method of storing food after cooking also determines the success or failure of infectious disease prevention. The video advises not to leave food at room temperature for a long time. Cooked food must be stored safely at appropriate temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, it is recommended to drink water that has been boiled whenever possible.

If diarrhea symptoms appear, special care must be taken during cooking. According to infectious disease prevention rules, the principle is not to cook food if one has diarrhea symptoms. This is to prevent the cook from transferring bacteria to the food and spreading it to others.

Experts advise that since infectious diseases caused by food consumption are easy to occur during periods such as holidays, maintaining personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the cooking environment is more important than anything else. However, if symptoms are severe or persistent, one must visit a medical institution to receive consultation and treatment from a professional.