7 Kitchen Mistakes that Cause Food Poisoning

Last Updated on January 7, 2021

Food poisoning is caused by infectious organisms (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) that are lurking in contaminated food. What most people ignore is that contamination can also occur at home when the food is improperly handled or cooked.

The awful symptoms of food poisoning can begin within a few hours of consuming contaminated food and can often include diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea. In worst cases, people need to go to the hospital.

Anyone who’s ever experienced food poisoning will absolutely never want to have it again. However, many people are unaware of some basic food safety rules, or just don’t take them seriously enough, making their chances of getting sick higher.

7 Kitchen Mistakes that Cause Food Poisoning

To stay healthy and happy this summer, avoid these 7 common kitchen mistakes that cause food poisoning
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1. Keeping Your Fridge Too Warm

I’m truly obsessed with food safety, but after checking my fridge, I was surprised to discover that even though it felt cold inside, it was actually 51 °F (which is way too warm).

According to food safety experts, your fridge should always be set at 40 °F or below. Any warmer temperatures can lead to bacteria growth, which increases your risk of getting ill.

In order to avoid food poisoning, you should use a digital thermometer to monitor the temperature as often as possible, and yes, even if your fridge has a temperature display.

2. Storing Too Much Food in the Fridge

Placing many items together on the fridge’s shelves can prevent proper cooling and air circulation.

On the other side, crowding your freezer can be quite effective in helping you keep many goodies last longer.

In fact, it’s easy to pack your freezer and avoid food poisoning at the same time, all you need to do is make sure to leave a small space between containers in your fridge.

3. Defrosting on the Top Shelf