July is the "Food Poisoning Season"... Can Vegetables and Fruits Also Cause Food Poisoning?

During the rainy season, when rain and heat continue in a hot and humid period, it is important to be cautious of food poisoning, an infectious and toxin-related disease caused by harmful toxic substances and microorganisms in our bodies.

According to food poisoning statistics released by Food Safety Korea, operated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the total number of food poisoning patients in 2021 was 5,160, with the highest number of cases in July at 1,293 patients (25%). August followed with 878 patients (17%).

When people think of food poisoning, they often first imagine undercooked meat or seafood that is not fresh, but food poisoning can also occur from fruits or vegetables.

Looking at past food poisoning cases, in 2013, 69 elementary school students in Busan contracted pathogenic Escherichia coli food poisoning after consuming ssamjang and cucumbers, and in 2014, 14 elementary school students in Ulsan contracted the same after consuming mugwort rice cakes and tomatoes.

The common factor in these cases was the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits, which were presumed to have led to food poisoning due to improper washing or disinfection.

Pathogenic Escherichia coli, which produces toxins and resides in the intestines of animals, can contaminate vegetables grown using immature compost or polluted water, as well as meat during the slaughtering process.

Food poisoning caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli typically presents symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and fatigue. Special caution is required as infections in infants and the elderly can progress to severe conditions.

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

Dr. Lim Chang-seop, head of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “During the summer, mold and bacteria can easily proliferate due to humidity, so it is important to be cautious of food poisoning and it is better to eat cooked food rather than raw whenever possible.”

He added, “If you suspect food poisoning symptoms, you should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and promptly visit a medical institution to receive appropriate treatment.”

Food poisoning can sometimes end with mild symptoms, but it can also be accompanied by serious symptoms that can be life-threatening. In particular, when food poisoning with dehydration symptoms or vomiting occurs in infants or the elderly with weakened immune systems, there is a risk of the airway being blocked by vomit, so caution is necessary.

When suffering from food poisoning, eating food can worsen diarrhea, so it is better to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Commercially available electrolyte drinks can also help replenish fluids.

Once diarrhea begins to subside, consuming bland foods without oil, such as rice gruel or rice porridge, can be helpful.

To prevent food poisoning from vegetables and fruits, use verified products for washing ingredients, soak them in water for more than 5 minutes, and wash them thoroughly at least three times. For leafy vegetables, wash each leaf under running water at least three times, and if they do not appear clean to the naked eye, wash them again.

If you need to cut ingredients after washing, use separate knives and cutting boards for vegetables/fruits, meat, and fish to prevent cross-contamination.

When washing, wash raw vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry in that order, and either cook immediately or store in the refrigerator. It is recommended to consume cooked food as quickly as possible within 2 hours.

Cook meat and seafood at a high temperature of 75℃ or higher for at least 1 minute, ensuring they are fully cooked inside before consumption. When storing food, keep raw meat and ingredients on the lower shelves of the refrigerator and cooked food on the upper shelves.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.