Clean Food: Public Health Issue

Public Health Issue: Clean Food
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Public Health Issue: Clean Food
Food presents health benefits and risks in equal measure. The health benefits from foodstuffs may include providing nutrients and minerals crucial for the normal functioning of the body systems, a source of fiber, and antioxidants that help prevent cancerous growth, among other benefits. The health benefits can only be realized if food is handled, prepared, and stored appropriately, in essence practicing food hygiene or food safety (Carter, 2020). Considering the myriads of opportunities where food can be contaminated in the production chain: production, processing, distribution, and preparation (Lamas et al., 2019), proper food hygiene becomes vital in eliminating disease-causing pathogens as well as promoting healthy living. Culture and poverty levels are critical aspects in handling cuisines, and the African American population remains the most apparent victims of unhygienic food practices.
Some severe and deadly diseases can be averted by simply abiding by the food safety protocols. Campylobacter, one of the most common diarrheal diseases caused by bacteria, is sometimes lethal, especially among infants and people with a weak immune system (WHO, 2020). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the major source of Campylobacter is the food animals as well as domesticated pets like cats and dogs. Consumption of undercooked meat and meat products, raw or even contaminated milk, typical examples of unhygienic food practices, are the main transmission modes to humans (WHO, 2020). To prevent Campylobacter transmission, food safety precautions should be observed in the entire food production chain.
Salmonellosis is another bacterial infection that can be prevented by simply practicing food hygiene. Salmonella is the bacteria causing the disease Salmonellosis. The bacteria can be found in several food substances, including raw and undercooked meat, raw fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized milk, and even raw or undercooked eggs (Liu et al., 2018). The bacteria are also present in water (Liu et al., 2018), the most common food ingredient and often used as a supplement. Observation of food safety precautions, including cooking of all food substances to the right temperatures, washing raw fruits and fresh vegetables with clean water, and refrigerating food properly, is crucial in preventing salmonellosis. Any other foodborne diseases can be adequately prevented by simply observing food hygiene throughout the food production chain.
Health promotion refers to the various intervention aimed at improving human health by suppressing the root cause of a disease rather than the treatments (WHO, 2016). Food safety is one of the health promotion strategies as it aims to alienate food products from disease-causing microbes. The consumption of unsafe food substances or contaminated food products exposes one to viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi capable of interrupting the normal functioning of the body systems and may sometimes lead to death (USAID, 2016). Food safety can be deployed as a health promotional strategy by practicing the five best practices proposed by the WHO: keeping clean, separating raw and co...