The dangers of Undercooked foods

Undercooked foods is one of the most common ways that food borne diseases spread. Most of the raw food, especially animal products should be cooked thoroughly in order to kill all bacteria that may be present. Meat, for example, have an optimum internal temperature which they must be cooked in order to minimise the risk of disease. When bacteria on food is not completely eliminated, there is a chance that the consumer can infect and cause a serious illness. Restaurants and other places, that prepares food have a responsibility to serve clean, fully cooked food to their customers. When they fail to prepare food for the appropriate temperatures, they can be held responsible for any diseases as a result.

Food borne illness & infection sources

Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 76 million cases of food poisoning occur every year in the United States, affects approximately 20-25% of the population annually. Of these cases is estimated about 5,000 people die from food borne diseases each year. Some of the most common sources of infection are animal products, including Turkey, beef, chicken, pork, eggs and seafood. These products can become infected with bacteria, while they are being treated. In the United States are two types of bacteria, which often leads to infection of e. coli and Salmonella. Full cooking process destroys all germs can have colonised on foods, rendering them safe to eat.

Recommended internal cooking temperatures

Each type of product has a different optimal temperature to kill latent bacteria. U.s. Department of agriculture (USDA) lists the following internal temperatures as threshold in order to be safe to consume:

Chicken: 165 (F)
Egg products: 160 (F)
Fish: 145 (F)
Ground beef: 160 (F)
Pigmeat: 160 (F)
Steaks: 145 (F)
Effects of food poisoning

Food poisoning is extremely unpleasant for most but typically only lasts 1-2 days. For some, however, can a more serious cases of food poisoning cause a serious illness or even death. Children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems are more likely to develop severe food borne illness. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and a high fever. A person who fall seriously ill may be burdened with the costs for comprehensive treatment, hospital stay, rehabilitation, medicine, lost wages from the time away from work and pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has fallen ill or suffered a wrongful death from food borne illness caused by undercooked foods, a company with food can be responsible and your family may be entitled to compensation for damage and injuries.

For more information

If you want to know more about the risks associated with undercooked food and food poisoning responsibility, to visit the website of the experienced Waukesha personal injury lawyers Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. today.