| All across Washington State, there are people waiting | | | | 3. Keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold |
| for food to arrive in restaurants, thinking about what | | | | 4. Avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen by |
| they'll have for dinner, or eating a quick lunch at the | | | | washing surfaces and utensils that have come into |
| office. Most of them probably aren't thinking about | | | | contact with risky foods |
| foodborne illnesses or allergies, but some of them will | | | | Allergic reactions to food occur when a person |
| get sick from the food they ate while at home or | | | | consumes a food to which he or she is allergic. Unless |
| out and about. While it's not something you want to | | | | the person is unaware of their allergy, such |
| think about, it's important to know the facts so you | | | | consumption is usually unintentional. One of the key |
| can safeguard your health and avoid serious | | | | differences between foodborne illnesses and allergies |
| complications. | | | | is that not everyone is susceptible. As long as they |
| Adverse effects that occur after eating certain | | | | are not contaminated, many people who have no |
| foods are typically the result of foodborne illnesses | | | | allergies can consume any foods they like without |
| or allergic reactions. These are similar in several key | | | | suffering adverse reactions. |
| respects. First, many substances can cause both | | | | A person can potentially have a reaction to virtually |
| illnesses and reactions. Second, effects of allergic | | | | any type of food, although some allergies are more |
| reactions and foodborne illnesses can be mild, serious | | | | common than others are. Some of the most |
| or even lethal. Last, with some diligence and effort, | | | | prevalent allergies include: |
| allergic reactions and foodborne illnesses can usually | | | | |
| be avoided. The two are also very different in many | | | | 1. Nut and seed allergies |
| ways. | | | | 2. Milk and egg allergies |
| Foodborne illnesses-often simply referred to as food | | | | 3. Wheat allergies |
| poisoning-are the result of consuming contaminated | | | | 4. Seafood allergies |
| foods. Everyone is susceptible to them to some | | | | Allergic reactions produce many of the same |
| degree. There are four main classes of contaminants | | | | symptoms as foodborne illnesses including stomach |
| that can cause foodborne illnesses and they are: | | | | pain, abdominal cramps, fatigue, and vomiting. Allergic |
| | | | reactions, however, have the potential to be much |
| 1. Bacteria | | | | more severe than foodborne illnesses. A person who |
| 2. Viruses | | | | has a severe allergy to a food can go into |
| 3. Parasites | | | | anaphylactic shock if it is consumed, which can lead |
| 4. Toxins with bacteria | | | | to respiratory failure and death within minutes. The |
| Symptoms of the above mentioned contaminants | | | | only way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid |
| can include fever, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and | | | | contact with the problematic food. That means |
| fatigue. Renal failure and paralysis are a couple of the | | | | reading labels carefully and always informing |
| more serious effects associated with certain types | | | | restaurant staff about food allergies. |
| of bacteria, including E. coli and Clostridium Botulinum. | | | | Unless you have a severe allergy, it can be difficult |
| Four main strategies to prevent foodborne illness | | | | sometimes to distinguish between allergic reactions |
| include: | | | | and foodborne illnesses. If you suspect either, it's |
| | | | important to see a doctor. He or she will be able to |
| 1. Cooking animal products such as meat and eggs | | | | tell you how to best deal with your symptoms, and |
| thoroughly | | | | may be useful in helping you pinpoint the source. |
| 2. Washing fruits and vegetables before consumption | | | | |