Approximately 8% of children and 2% of adults suffer from true food allergies. When the culprit food is eaten, most allergic reactions will occur within minutes. Skin symptoms (itching, urticaria, angioedema) are the most common, and occur during most food reactions. Other symptoms can include nasal (sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and eyes), gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea), lung (shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness), and vascular (low blood pressure, light-headedness, rapid heart beat) symptoms. When severe, this reaction is called anaphylaxis, and can be life threatening.

Allergy or Intolerance?

Most reactions to food are probably not allergic in nature, but rather intolerance.

This means that there is no allergic antibody present against the food in the person. Intolerance can be classified as toxic and non-toxic. Toxic reactions would be expected to occur in most people if enough of the food was eaten, examples include alcohol, caffeine or in cases of food-poisoning. Non-toxic food intolerance occurs only in certain people, such as lactose intolerance, which is due to the deficiency of lactase, the enzyme which breaks down the sugar in milk and dairy foods. Patients with lactose intolerance experience bloating, cramping and diarrhea within minutes to hours after eating lactose-containing foods, but do not experience other symptoms of food allergies.

Non-allergic Immunologic Reactions  Read more... (970 words, estimated 3:53 mins reading time)

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The kitchen staff and food handlers of a restaurant, deli, cafeteria, meat market, bar etc. are a common source for bacteria and viral contamination in your food, that can very readily cause you be become ill. What can you do then to protect yourself and determine if the business is practicing good health and safety, and the staff good personal hygiene?

There are a number of subtle and obvious signs, practices etc. that the consumer can and should look for in a restaurant related to the personal hygiene of the food handlers. The following list of practices or requirements (by law) are designed to prevent or minimize contamination of food, either directly from the food handler, or from cross-contamination from other sources. Review each one and make a mental note to remember to look for these the next time you are patronizing your favorite restaurant or market:

- Look for clean clothing and aprons and hair restraints, either a hat or hairnet to hold all the hair in place for anyone handling or processing open, exposed foods. Clothing must be sufficient to cover the entire body including arms if necessary to block body hair from getting into the food. Fingernails of food handlers must be kept clean, cut or trimmed and well manicured. Hair, skin, and fingernails are common sources of bacteria that if given the right conditions for growth in food, very readily and commonly do cause illness.  Read more... (1524 words, estimated 6:06 mins reading time)

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Food poisoning is more common in areas with poor sanitation or living conditions (often occurs in community feasts, cooked and served under unhygienic conditions or food stored under such conditions for several hours). Most cases of food poisoning are from common bacteria like Staphylococcus or E. coli

What Is Food Poisoning

Food poisoning refers to poisoning that occurs due to eating foods contaminated with toxins or poisonous substances secreted by some bacteria. Contaminated food or water infected with or carrying micro-organisms can food poisoning. Improper cleaning and washing of fruits and vegetables, and improper cooking of food can also cause food poisoning.

What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning generally occurs within 2 to 3 hours of eating or drinking infected food or water. However it may also occur earlier or later. The symptoms include nausea or a feeling of vomiting, vomiting, pain in the abdomen and diarrhoea. Other symptoms are fever, cold sweats, weakness, headache and dehydration.

Types of Food Poisoning

1.Bacterial food poisoning – Here the micro organisms called bacteria are responsible.The food material may contain the pathogenic bacteriae or their toxin and will be ingested along with the food.

2.Non bacterial food poisoning – Due to the presence of toxic chemicals like fertilizers, insectisides, heavy metals and ect.Since bacterial food poisoning is common it is discussed here.

3.Bacterial food poisoning – All bacteria are not harmful.There are some pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations.These organisms enter the human body through food articles or drinks.  Read more... (740 words, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)

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CONTENTS

BORSCHT SOUP

GRANDMA’S SPAGHETTI AND MEAT BALLS

BAKED WINTER SQUASH

GRANDMA’S WHIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES

AUNT PAT’S BUTTER TARTS

LIGHTSIDE

BUY LOCAL FOOD

FOOD INFORMATION WHEN EXPOSED TO FIRE, FLOOD, HEAT, POWER OUT

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

BAR MIXES

NON-ALOHOLIC DRINK

VEGETABLE SOUP BORSCHT

2 pounds beef, with soup bone.

2 carrots.

1 medium head of cabbage.

2 average-sized onions.

6 average-sized potatoes.

2 cups canned tomatoes.

6 whole pepper kernels.

1 bay leaf.

A few sprigs of dill.

½ cup chopped beets.

Cover meat with cool water and bring to a boil.
Let simmer until almost tender.  Add water if necessary
to keep meat covered.  One hour before serving, add chopped
vegetables and seasoning.  Potatoes may be cooked separately
before serving.  When ready to serve, remove from heat and
add sour cream.

GRANDMA’S SPAGHETTI AND MEAT BALLS.
½ cup………………….(125 ml)……………………onions
2 tablespoons (30 ml)…………………….margarine
1 pound…………….(500 g)……………………ground beef
2 cups…………………(500 ml)…………………tomato sauce.
2/3 cup………………(160 ml)…………………sliced mushrooms.
4 cups…………………(1000 ml)………………can tomatoes.
½ cup………………….(125 ml)…………………chopped parsley.
1 ½ teaspoon. (7.5ml)……………………oregano or sage
1 teaspoon………(5 ml)………………………salt
¼ teaspoon………(1.25 ml)………………thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup………………….(500 ml)…………………water
2 cloves garlic

In a large skillet, cook onion in hot oil until tender.  Add
Meat and garlic, brown lightly.  Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer uncovered 1 ½-2 hours or until sauce is nice and thick.
Stir occasionally.  Remove Bay leaf.  Serve hot over spaghetti.
Top with Parmesan cheese.
YIELD:  6 servings.
Time:   2 ½ hours.

Beef And Potato Cakes  Read more... (1517 words, estimated 6:04 mins reading time)

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