Another Ecoli Outbreak 😨 Protect Yourself Fools! Chef GoldenArms Suggestions..

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued another warning. These seem to be more frequent now a days.

E coli stricken lettuce has already caused one death this week and it's a multi province issue that has sent 30 people to hospitals so far.

While the source of the lettuce hasn't been identified as of yet they're warning everyone to practice safe food handling to limit their risks.

E coli has many strains, some are not very dangerous and others can kill. Symptoms can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Most people get better within a week and sometimes you can be exposed to it and not even notice or feel sick.

5 percent to 10 percent of people diagnosed with E coli O157 can develop a potentially life threatening condition called 'hemolytic uremic syndrome' which can lead to kidney failure and even death!

The E coli bacteria mainly lives in the intestines of livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats. The bacteria can pass directly into meat and milk from these animals. It is also why we pasteurized milk now.

Contamination can also occur in the processing and handling of meat. It's basically everywhere and you have to take measures to protect yourself.

E. coli can also contaminate fruits and vegetables. This frequently happens when water contaminated with waste from farm animals is used to irrigate crops or is transferred to areas veggies are grown through the ground water.

• Don't stick this eggplant in your mouth or butt without washing it first! *

Some easy steps to protect yourself are; always make sure you cook all your foods thoroughly. A meat thermometer can be purchased cheaply and a quick search online can arm you with the proper safe temperatures for all cooked meats.

All vegetables HAVE to be washed before preparation and consumption! It's not just pesticides you're washing off, alot of the produce gown in China is fertilized with human excrement, gross right? Be sure to use clean cutting boards and have seperate chopping blocks for meat, poultry and seafood. Alot of this is basic knowledge but still every year scores of people in North America die from deadly strains of E coli bacteria.

I work in the food service industry and have to take food safety courses every year, they're mind numbingly boring but everyone should have basic training in my opinion because what you eat can literally kill you.

Food for thought,

*Apologies for the bad pun but it's fitting 😝

@goldenarms