Food Poisoning: Physician Lists Preventive Measures

The Consultant Family Physician, University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Dr. Nicolas Baamlong has urged consumers to endeavour to wash food thoroughly before cooking, to avoid food poisoning.

Food poisoning occurs when one consumes food or water that has been contaminated with certain types of bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins.

Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea which occur within 48 hours after consuming the contaminated food or drink.

Baamlong told newsmen in Abuja that the issue of killer beans could be as a result of chemicals used to preserve the food.

Baamlong said it was hazardous for people to sell food preserved with chemicals, adding that some of the food items were meant to be preserved over a period of time before consumption.

“Some of the chemicals used to preserve these food are supposed to last for a certain period, if the food is consumed before the supposed time, it would definitely have health implications on the individuals who eat the food.

“ It is strongly advised that people should wash food very well before cooking, for those who use detergent to wash food, such as oranges, they should ensure that they rinse them thoroughly because detergents are to be used in washing clothes,” he said.

Baamlong noted that the health implication of eating contaminated food either by chemical from preservation include severe abdominal pain and death.

Abubakar Bello, who sells grains at Garki Market, said that he used chemicals to preserve the grains against insects.

According to him, he sells the grains to consumers three months after the chemicals had been applied.

Also speaking, Usman Dauda, another dealer at the same market, said the reason for preserving raw food with chemicals was to ensure a continuous supply during and after harvest.

“Many reasons are responsible for the storage of food ranging from protecting it against insects and profit making,’’ he said.

According to Sadiq Umar, who also deals in grains, because of increased complaints and incidence of food poisoning, the traders now seek advice from professionals on the quantity of chemicals to be used.

Umar said it usually took him four to five months after applying preservatives before selling to consumers.