How to Avoid Food Poisoning

If you have stomach ache, have a mild fever, and have to go to the bathroom a few hours after eating, chances are you're suffering from a case of food poisoning. Food poisoning is caused by bad bacteria and toxins (poisonous substances) from food that isn't cooked thoroughly or prepared properly.

Here are some tips for avoiding food poisoning:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before and after you eat or prepare food.
• Make sure food is thoroughly cooked.
• Cover and refrigerate food right away if you're not going to eat it. Never leave anything out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
• Look at what you're eating and smell it too. If something looks or smells different than it normally does (for example, if milk smells sour), throw it away.
• Be sure to reheat leftovers. If some bacteria managed to grow while food was in the refrigerator, properly reheating the food until it is steaming should kill most bacteria and keep you from getting sick.
• Check the expiration date if you're eating packaged food. Never eat food past its expiration date.