poison on the plates!

Have you eaten outdoor before and ended up with diarrhoea or worse still nausea or the real vomiting? you're one of the lucky Nigerians who didn't add up to the casualty of food poisoning. Yes! It will be right to say that before the age of five, an average Nigerian child has experienced food poisoning at least once- maybe we may say it is just one of the signs of a developing country- Mr. President, his excellency president GEJ,  wasn't spared either as he experienced food poisoning in the Gambia during a visit in 2013- hope the opposition won't say it's because he's clueless. jonathan poisoned
It is believed that about two hundred thousand Nigerians die annually from food poisoning, (you see why i said you're really lucky?) does it sound like it is a serious issue to you now? of course it is serious! Haven't you heard in the news of families that are wiped out after taking meals of beans, amala, garri or what have you.  There was an outright poisoning in Ibadan recently when a sandwich prepared in Lagos was served in a meeting and about 20 people fell for it! They ate salmonella!(check the pic below so you know).  In Katsina, 10 teachers died out rightly after eating during a meeting. OK, i think you have an idea about how common it is around you.

Aside the acute poisoning seen above,are you aware that the rate of organ failure is alarming and crazy! Renal failure, heart failure and most rampant is Diabetes! Survey says at least each family has a member with diabetes. Have you seen the rate at which patients roll in because of ulcer? what exactly is causing all of these in the first place.chronic poisoning! we talk about children with defects and some still birth. what of cancer?
Things we have eaten over a long period poisoned us gradually until there comes the Organ failure. Nigeria is at great risk if the situation is not controlled.

Now so we don't rely on luck forward, (you don't wanna be part of the unlucky two hundred thousand next time) let's talk about how much of food poison is around you and how you can avoid it. you cannot trust that food vendor serving you and sneezing or the dirty looking girl in that  kitchen serving you, you might just be eating those mean salmonella above. In short, eating out is as risky as thinking suicide, so avoid it if you can. Never eat cold foods! ensure all foods are cooked and still warm before consuming them. also avoid cross contamination between fresh uncooked food and cooked meal in your house.

Chronic poisoning is more difficult to control as there are more myths than facts on how these things happen. takes a long time study to get some things ascertained. Always buy your foods from safe sources, avoid eating food with pesticide or veterinary residues(I should talk more on this sometime soon).
The most important part is that you should ask a food safety expert whenever you are not sure about a food product, it helps. Conclusively peeps, always remember this "whenever you are not sure of a food, better not eat" because you are what you eat!

 

POISON ON THE PLATES