Question

Discuss the importance of food safety and sanitation and the impact on GI health. Give an example of a disease ( GI ailment) which can be attributable to improper food handling. Describe signs, symptoms and treatment.

Answer 1

Food Safety and Sanitation:

The importance of Food safety and sanitation is essential in our daily life. The food safety can be maintained by proper handling, proper preparation, and storage of food. Foodborne illness occurs due to transmission of growth of bacteria from one person to person. The reason behind this is cross-contamination, improper hand hygiene, and contamination of food. Food should not be stored too long in the refrigerator. Raw meat should be cooked at the right temperature. The vessels should be rinsed properly before placing in the dishwasher. Sanitation of eating establishments is a challenging problem in food sanitation. Maintaining sanitation in eating places and restaurants is necessary.

Foodborne intoxications:

1.Due to naturally occurring toxins in some foods

a. Lathyrism ( beta oxalyl amino-alanine).

b. Endemic ascitis (Pyrrolizidine alkaloids).

2. Due to toxins produced by certain bacteria

a. botulism

b. Staphylococcus poisons.

3. Due to toxins produced by some fungi

a. Aflatoxin

b. Ergot

c. Fusarium toxins.

4. Foodborne chemical poisoning

a. Heavy metals e.g mercury (usually in fish), cadmium (in certain shellfish), and lead (in canned food).

b. oils, petroleum derivatives and solvents (eg. Trycresyn phosphate or TCP).

c. Migrant chemicals from packing materials.

d. Asbestos.

e. Pesticide residues.

B. Foodborne infections:

1. Bacterial diseases - Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, Salmonellosis, Staphylococcal intoxication, Cl. perfrigens illness, Botulism, E.coli, diarrhea, Non-cholera vibrio illness, streptococcal infection, Shigellosis Brucellosis.

2. Viral diseases: Viral hepatitis, Gastroenteritis.

3. Parasites - Taeniasis, Hydatidosis, Trichinosis, Ascariasis, Amoebiasis, Oxyuriasis.

Signs and Symptoms of Gastroenteritis:

• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Low-grade fever.
• watery diarrhea.
• headache
• dehydration.

Treatment of Gastroenteritis:

• Drink enough fluids.
• Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
• Minimize salty foods.
• Increase potassium intake.
• Administer antibiotics if necessary.
• Prevention of complications.