Question

Staphylococcal food intoxication is a common cause of food-borne illness that can be prevented by:

A) Proper handwashing and sanitation
B) Cooking food to high temperatures
C) Avoiding raw seafood
D) Refrigerating leftovers promptly

Answer 1

Staphylococcal food poisoning can be prevented primarily through proper handwashing, cooking food to sufficiently high temperatures, avoiding raw seafood, and promptly refrigerating leftovers. These measures help to prevent the growth and spread of Staphylococcus aureus and the enterotoxins it produces, which cause food intoxication.

Step-by-step explanation:

Staphylococcal food poisoning, a type of food intoxication, can be prevented by adopting several key practices. These include:

• Proper handwashing and sanitation to avoid transferring bacteria from the hands to food;
• Cooking food to high temperatures to ensure that any potential bacteria are killed;
• Avoiding raw seafood, which can be a source of contamination;
• Refrigerating leftovers promptly to prevent bacterial growth at temperatures conducive to S. aureus.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins, which are resistant to low pH and high temperatures, are responsible for the illness. While the bacteria may be killed by heat, the toxins can still cause harm if ingested. Symptoms of this type of gastrointestinal illness might include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and in more severe cases, headache, dehydration, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, prevention strategies are essential to ensure food safety.