The temperature and humidity are high in summer in Japan. If you don’t manage food properly, the risk of food poisoning is also high.
This time, we will introduce the risks and countermeasures for food poisoning to foreigners in detail. Please use it as a reference and prevent from getting sick.
Summer is a Time to Be Careful of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a condition of the body caused by bacteria and viruses adhering to foodstuffs entering inside of the body. In particular, it is said that bacteria proliferate actively at temperatures around human body temperature and that many of them prefer moisture.
In Japan, temperatures become 30 to 35 degrees Celsius in summer and humidity increases during the rainy season. It makes the risk of food poisoning from bacteria increase.
On the other hand, winter is known as the season when food poisoning due to viruses such as norovirus is common in winter. Since viruses survive for a long time, even in low temperatures and dry environments, it is necessary to take appropriate measures such as heating them well when eating oysters.
Aside from viruses, the causative bacteria that cause food poisoning are mainly of the following types.
- O157 (from beef, etc.)
- Clostridium perfringens (from stewed food, etc.)
- Campylobacter (from chicken etc.)
Other than the above, there are other causative bacteria, so be sure to take the measures described below so that you do not get sick.
What Happens If We Get Food Poisoning?
If you get food poisoning, you will experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The period generally lasts from a few days to two weeks, and the symptoms and duration vary depending on the cause.
Since diarrhea and vomiting are movements that try to remove toxins from the body, it may be prolonged if stopped with over-the-counter drugs. If you get food poisoning, be careful of dehydration and go to your medical institution first.
Please refer to this article for how to find a medical institution.
Measures against Food Poisoning
Then, what kind of measures we can take to prevent food poisoning? The following are general food poisoning measures that you can do at home.
Keep Clean
As mentioned, bacteria and viruses cause food poisoning. So it is important not to take these causative substances into the body.
If you wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the ingredients, it will prevent the causative bacteria from entering your mouth through your hands. When washing your hands, be sure to wash not only your palm but also your nails and wrist.
When grilling meat, it is also a countermeasure for food poisoning not to touch it with the chopsticks that used for the raw meat. Using different chopsticks can prevent you from being sick.
Avoid Storing Foods and Dishes at Room Temperature for a Long Time
The bacteria causing food poisoning are said to develop actively at 35 to 40℃. Therefore, when storing foods, heat them to kill the causative bacteria in advance, or cool them at a temperature low enough to slow down the activity of the bacteria.
Also, if you have leftover dishes, please refrigerate or freeze them without leaving them at room temperature. If you eat it again, sufficiently heating it will reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Add Ingredients That Can Be Expected to Have a Sterilizing Effect
You can reduce the risk of food poisoning by adding the following ingredients and seasonings that have a bactericidal effect on meals that you do not eat immediately, such as lunch boxes.
- Salted plum
- Spices
- Vinegar
This is a simple measure that does not require special items, so why not try practicing it?
As for lunchboxes, it is also a good idea to keep the temperature low by using an ice pack. If you get it when you buy a cake, it’s convenient to store it in a freezer without discarding it.
Use Food Poisoning Prevention Goods
Some useful goods are also on sale to prevent food poisoning.
For example, the following antibacterial sheet for bento can suppress the growth of various bacteria by putting it in the lunchbox. Since it is sold not only by mail order but also in 100 stores, it is not difficult to get it.
Of course, it is also a good measure to sterilize the causative bacteria by using alcohol disinfection spray. In this season, let’s pay more attention to the removal of bacteria.
Conclusion
As the temperature and humidity rise in summer, bacteria that cause food poisoning are prone to breeding. Diarrhea, vomiting, and associated dehydration can be caused, so please be careful not to get it.
As a countermeasure, it is a good rule to keep the food clean and avoid leave foods and dishes at room temperature. Also, using goods such as antibacterial sheets may help.
Please try to survive the summer by referring to the contents written in this article.