Food Poisoning Possible Without Bad Odor or Taste

Three factors contribute to the growth of bacteria in food: lack of sanitation, insufficient cooking, and improper storage.

When food smells or tastes bad, you know that spoilage has occurred, but some spoiled foods will have no changes in taste, appearance, or odor. These are the ones that are dangerous. They, too, can cause food poisoning.

Food borne illness is fairly common in the United States. It is caused by toxins. Three factors contribute to the growth of bacteria in food: lack of sanitation, insufficient cooking, and improper storage.

You can help to protect your family from food poisoning by following these food safety tips:

• When you are preparing or serving food, be sure to have clean hands, dishes, utensils, equipment, and work surfaces.
• Don't touch your face, mouth, nose, or hair when preparing or serving food. If you do, wash your hands before you handle food again
• Keep hot foods hot (above 145° Fahrenheit) and cold foods cold (below 40° Fahrenheit). If hot foods aren't to be eaten as soon as they're cooked, refrigerate them, then reheat them before they're served.
• Always refrigerate cream pies, custards puddings, creamed meat dishes, sandwich fillings with mayonnaise, and potato salad. Do so promptly after preparing.
• Before tasting any home-canned vegetables and meats, boil them for about 15 minutes.
• Use tested recipes with reliable tables for times and temperatures for cooking meats, poultry, and fish.

For more information on food poisoning possible without bad odor or taste, contact your local county Extension office.