Humans and bacteria

We’ve already looked at how raw food can carry food poisoning bacteria. Now for the next culprit – the human body.

There are several areas of the human body which carry food poisoning bacteria.

Staphylococcus aureus can be found on hands, skin, throat, mouth, ears, hair and fingernails. Salmonella can also be present in the intestines, and therefore also in faeces. Wash your hands!

Many people can be infected with food poisoning and show no symptoms. They are referred to as “carriers”. Unless they are scrupulous in their personal hygiene they can easily transfer the bacteria to others, who may well suffer from food poisoning.

Careless food handling is a major cause of food poisoning. Bacteria can easily be transferred to food from hands, mouth and nose, or from boils, cuts and scratches.

Also, if harmful germs such as salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli etc are present in the food handler’s gut they can get into food.

ALWAYS wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling food.

This is Chapter Three, Part Three in a series of articles broadly similar to the course offered by the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health for its Food Hygiene Certificate.
Part Four: Other sources of bacteria
Return to the start of Chapter Three