Avoid infection from raw milk
·
The
sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in Colorado, but people can
still purchase a cow share to obtain it.
The
sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in Colorado, but people can
still purchase a cow share to obtain it.
·
Raw,
or unpasteurized, milk is a suspected source for illness outbreaks in Colorado,
Michigan and Utah.
Raw,
or unpasteurized, milk is a suspected source for illness outbreaks in Colorado,
Michigan and Utah.
·
Unpasteurized
milk can be dangerous, causing 81 illness outbreaks nationwide from 2007-2012.
Unpasteurized
milk can be dangerous, causing 81 illness outbreaks nationwide from 2007-2012.
o
More
than half of the outbreaks involved children younger than 5.
More
than half of the outbreaks involved children younger than 5.
·
If
you drink raw milk you may ingest harmful bacteria such as E. coli,
Campylobacter or Salmonella.
If
you drink raw milk you may ingest harmful bacteria such as E. coli,
Campylobacter or Salmonella.
o
The
number of bacteria in raw milk is unpredictable, which makes it unsafe as it
may cause serious, life-threatening illness.
The
number of bacteria in raw milk is unpredictable, which makes it unsafe as it
may cause serious, life-threatening illness.
·
Pasteurized
milk offers many health benefits without running the threat of infection
because it has been heated to kill germs.
Pasteurized
milk offers many health benefits without running the threat of infection
because it has been heated to kill germs.
·
Children,
elderly people, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems have the
highest risk of becoming ill from drinking raw milk.
Children,
elderly people, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems have the
highest risk of becoming ill from drinking raw milk.
·
If
you drink raw milk and start to feel ill, contact your health care provider.
If
you drink raw milk and start to feel ill, contact your health care provider.
·
Drink
pasteurized milk to avoid illness.
Drink
pasteurized milk to avoid illness.
Stay healthy this canning season
·
It’s
canning season in Mesa County. Are you doing everything you can to avoid
getting sick?
It’s
canning season in Mesa County. Are you doing everything you can to avoid
getting sick?
·
Between
1996 and 2008, there were 116 outbreaks of foodborne botulism reported to the
CDC. Thirty eight percent of those tied to home-prepared foods were linked to
home-canned vegetables.
Between
1996 and 2008, there were 116 outbreaks of foodborne botulism reported to the
CDC. Thirty eight percent of those tied to home-prepared foods were linked to
home-canned vegetables.
·
Keep
these tips in mind to avoid getting sick:
Keep
these tips in mind to avoid getting sick:
o
Use
a pressure canner or cooker and follow all specified home-canning processing
times for safe home-canning of all foods.
Use
a pressure canner or cooker and follow all specified home-canning processing
times for safe home-canning of all foods.
§ Pay special attention to the
processing times for low-acid vegetables, like green beans, carrots and corn.
processing times for low-acid vegetables, like green beans, carrots and corn.
o Consult the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning before you can each season.
o
Boil
home-processed, low-acid canned foods for 10 minutes before serving.
Boil
home-processed, low-acid canned foods for 10 minutes before serving.
§ For higher altitudes, add one minute for each 1,000 feet of elevation.
o
Home-canned
food might be contaminated if:
Home-canned
food might be contaminated if:
§ The container is leaking, bulging or
swollen.
swollen.
§ The container looks damaged, cracked
or abnormal.
or abnormal.
§ The container spurts liquid or foam
when opened.
when opened.
§ The food is discolored, moldy or
smells bad.
smells bad.
o
Never
taste home-canned foods to determine if they are safe.
Never
taste home-canned foods to determine if they are safe.
o
Discard
all swollen, gassy or spoiled canned foods.
Discard
all swollen, gassy or spoiled canned foods.
§ Use rubber gloves and place the food
or can in a sealable bag, then wrap another plastic bag around the sealed bag
and tape it shut.
or can in a sealable bag, then wrap another plastic bag around the sealed bag
and tape it shut.
§ Place bags in a trash receptacle for
non-recyclable trash outside of the
home, away from humans and pets.
non-recyclable trash outside of the
home, away from humans and pets.
§ Wash your hands with soap and running
water for at least two minutes after handling food or containers that may be
contaminated.
water for at least two minutes after handling food or containers that may be
contaminated.
·
Remember,
when in doubt, throw it out!
Remember,
when in doubt, throw it out!