Cross Contamination Some foods will always contain some bacteria. Poor handling of these foods can cause cross-contamination; Cross-contamination is the transfer of bacteria from contaminated food to non-contaminated food. Cross-contamination can occur during food storage or handling. Food Poisoning and Food Contamination Food poisoning occurs after eating food contaminated with bacteria. The symptoms of food poisoning are basically the same as stomach flu, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, but if your child and other people who have eaten the same food all have the same symptoms, the problem is more likely be food poisoning rather than stomach flu. The bacteria that cause food poisoning can't be seen, smelled, or tasted, so your child won't know when they're eating them. These organisms include: Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph) These bacteria normally cause skin infections, such as pimples or boils, and are transferred when foods are handled by an infected person. When food is left at a specific temperature (100 degrees Fahrenheit) the staph bacteria multiply and produce a poison (toxin) that normal cooking does not destroy. Symptoms begin one to six hours after eating the contaminated food, and discomfort usually lasts about a day. This is one of the main causes of food poisoning. Salmonella Salmonella bacteria is another major cause of food poisoning in the United States (there are many types). The most commonly contaminated foods are raw meat (including chicken), raw or undercooked eggs, and unpasteurized milk. Salmonella is killed when food is cooked completely. Symptoms caused by salmonella poisoning begin 16 to 48 hours after a meal and can last two to seven days. coliEscherichia c......middle of paper......ing facility. Do not wash your hands in a sink used for food preparation or in a sink where you wash dishes, pots or in any type of serving sink. The dos and don'ts of presentation hygiene when handling foodsWhy is food hygiene important?Every day people get sick from the food they eat. Microorganisms in foods, including bacteria, viruses and mold, can cause food poisoning, causing unpleasant symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Food poisoning can sometimes lead to gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, or even more serious health problems, such as blood poisoning (septicemia) and kidney failure. Anyone can get food poisoning, but some people, including infants, children and the elderly, are more likely to have severe symptoms. If you are pregnant, you need to be especially careful not to get food poisoning.