Food borne illness

Food borne illness or also known as food poisoning, can be caused by a number of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Food borne illness is caused by consume contaminated food and drink. Harmful toxins or chemicals which are present in food may also cause food borne illness.

We often ask why and how food may be contaminated with the bacteria, which at the end of may cause a disease called food borne illness. Look at the characteristics of the food and bacteria associated with food, shall be borne by the disease.

Bacteria need 6 conditions which are to be able to survive and reproduce. The necessary conditions are a food source, the level of acidity, temperature, time, oxygen and moisture, are truncated F and T T O M.

FOOD

Bacteria need to grow food. As well as other life organisms need food, which support their adolescence. High content of proteins or carbohydrates contained in meat, fish, seafood, cooked potatoes and peas, the rise of are loved by bacteria. These foods are considered potentially hazardous food. This will facilitate their dissemination.

ACID

It was known that dangerous bacteria in food can reproduce in foods with acidity (pH). 4.6-7. the pH is the symbol for the degree of acidity or alkalinity (Basic) substances, measures in the range 0 to 14.0. Foods with a pH below 7.0 are acidic, a pH above 7 is alkaline. Most bacteria are not pH level lower than the 4.6.

THE TEMPERATURE OF THE

The bacteria, which can reproduce more rapidly at temperatures between > 41oF-160oF (5 ° c-60 ° c). But the bacteria prefer a temperature which is equivalent to the human temperature i.e. 98.6oF (37oC). The longer that the bacteria are allowed to sit in the warm, moist environment, the faster will be the growth of bacteria, up and multiply. Must limit the time during which these foods remain in a dangerous area for two hours or less.

TIME

Time and temperature are two important factors that significantly influence the growth of bacteria in food. Micro-organisms as a warm environment the best around room temperature. In an ideal state of bacteria will multiply every 15-30 minutes. Some bacteria may even grow every 10 minutes. Research has identified it as a dangerous temperature zone. It is very necessary to create a condition that prevents the growth of bacteria or retards the growth of bacteria. 4 Hours, it is to achieve a number of diseases, which can for people who need it only bacteria.

OXYGEN

Some species of bacteria need oxygen to survive, they are the aerobic; But there are also some species of bacteria that can survive without oxygen, anaerobic. These two conditions may occur in food. Bacteria that can survive without oxygen may live in the packaged food or the vacuum packaging, such as canned food or in food, which are stored in large quantities.

HUMIDITY

Research has shown that the disease caused by bacteria can grow in food, if the activity of water in food is greater than the item 85 (. 85). Micro-organisms like a moist environment. Meat products and soft cheeses have more water content allows any bacteria, viruses or forms to submit quickly multiply.