Editor’s note: Food poisoning as a result of true negligence is, fortunately, relatively rare.  However, it can and does happen, especially in the United States, where regulation is lax and political.  I highly urge every reader to take the time to watch Food, Inc., and become aware of the phenomenon known informally as “veggie libel law.”

by Mindy Laughton

Food Poison & Recalls

Not everything we put in our mouths is safe. This is why so many people have to call on the services of a food poison lawyer to help them bring litigation against a company that willfully sold them an unsafe product. Product recalls happen all the time. These recalls are responsible for getting products that companies know are unsafe out of the marketplace. Unfortunately, not every product is intercepted and even when a product is recalled, the damage might have already been done.

The act of a customer purchasing a product does not absolve the company who made that product of liability in the event that something goes wrong. Every company that makes products customers will consume needs to have rigorous safety protocols in place to keep problems from happening. The issues that could arise from legal action brought on by a food poison lawyer could have drastic consequences, even for companies that have extensive payrolls and workforces. Nobody wants to have to face lawsuits of any kind, especially not ones that could leave a considerable dent in their reputation.

Preventing Food Poisoning

Consumers can follow some basic protocols to prevent instances of food poisoning from occurring. First and foremost, they need to focus on how they store their food. This article details some measures that people can follow to keep their food from becoming contaminated. Food storage standards can be broken into several categories, depending on the type of food that’s being stored. Food that belongs in a pantry needs to be kept in airtight containers, checked, and switched out on a regular basis. Anything that goes into the fridge has to be observed for any signs of mold or rot.

Expiration Dates

Expiration dates are often a subject of a great deal of controversy. One school of thought says that you can get away with ignoring them while another school of thought says that you should throw away items after their expiration date has past. Generally, you should be able to eat items that are past their expiration date as long as they’re not from the dairy section; however, you’re chancing it as items that have passed this item are usually of a much lower level of texture, taste, and appearance.

Cross-Contamination

An item can accumulate a lot of bacteria while being stored. These bacteria can get on the hands of the people who are preparing it. That’s why it’s important for everyone who’s working with raw meats to wash their hands a lot while they’re making a meal. Busy kitchens have issues with contamination for this reason. Hygiene standards have to be paramount. Gloves are to be worn at all times and all food service employees should wear hair nets. In the case of food safety, there’s no such thing as being too cautious.  [Editor’s note: if those preparing your food at a supermarket or restaurant don’t have their hair covered, ask them to!]

Take Responsibility

A laundry list of things can be done to prevent you from having to call on a food poison lawyer. It’s all a matter of whether you’re willing to pay attention. Become informed about food recalls and notify your local grocery store if there’s anything they can do to improve the way they notify their customers. You can’t expect that the place from which you purchase your food will tell you what’s going on. If you want to know, you should find out for yourself.