‘Food borne illnesses spike in winter’

What are the common causes of food borne illnesses here?

Not keeping cooked and ready-to eat-foods at the right temperature is among the most common causes. You are exposing yourself to danger if you leave the food without refrigeration or hot holding. Consume cooked food immediately and not store it at ambient temperature for too long. Leftover food should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Food establishments are required to keep hot food at 60C until consumption.

Do incidences of food poisoning decline in winter in the UAE?

That’s one myth we need to bust. If you look at data, incidences of food borne illnesses are 10-20 per cent higher in winter compared to peak summer. Winters here are not cold enough to keep harmful bacteria at bay. Temperature should be less than five degrees for chilled food and above 60 degrees for hot food.

Moreover, outdoor activities could cause cross contamination – like barbecues where we handle raw and cooked meat at the same time.

What are the top three myths people have regarding food safety?

The first one is that it is the last meal which caused food poisoning. Usually food-borne infections would take anything between a day to a week to manifest, we need to check the entire food history for at least three to five days and investigate the right source of illness to avoid what we call the ‘last meal bias’.

Second myth is, if there is a problem with food you can determine what it was by testing it. In most cases, you would need hundreds of samples to be tested to identify organisms that are normally present in low doses and usually the contaminated foodstuff is gone by the time you collect samples to conduct the tests. In the event of a complaint that comes three or four days after the food is consumed, it is unlikely we have the same food sample that made the person sick. We use epidemiological studies to find food sources in most investigations.

What are the common symptoms of food-borne illness?

Diahorrea, abdominal cramps and, at times, fever and vomiting.

What measures can one take if food poisoning is suspected?

Visit a good doctor to get a stool culture test done so the organism can be identified. Follow the doctor’s advice and do not self-medicate or rely on over-the-counter drugs.

Keep well hydrated. Usually dehydration aggravates the problem.

How do we ensure food in a restaurant is fit for consumption?

In the UAE, food is generally safe because of the commitment from the food industry to food safety and the support services, checks and inspections by authorities. It is hard to judge a place by looking at the ambience or even the kitchen as it requires specific skills to spot real food safety problems. However, be aware of the hygiene being maintained in surroundings and also hygiene levels of people serving you.

Which food items must one be cautious of while eating?

Milk and milk products, eggs, cut fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and burgers, fresh juices, mayonnaise, anything that uses a mix of milk, cream, sugar and eggs.

Can we contact Dubai Municipality for food safety issues?

Call 800-900 for complaints about restaurants and if you have symptoms of food borne infections.