8 Tips To Avoid Food Poisoning in Restaurants!

Have you experienced food poisoning?

I experienced food poisoning twice from restaurants.

Many of us are excited to eat in restaurants as it’s a fun way to socialize, and we don’t have to prepare or cook the food ourselves.

According to WebMD.com “Getting sick from eating food that has germs, viruses, or parasites is more common than you might think. An estimated 48 million Americans, that’s 1 out of every 6, come down with food poisoning every year. Most get better on their own without medical treatment.“

Check out these tips to avoid food poisoning:

Inspection Scores
Check out the food safety inspection ratings (online or in person) at restaurants in your area.
Restaurant and Bathroom Cleanliness
Are the restaurant eating areas and bathrooms clean? If not, you might want to think about going elsewhere.
Doggy Bags
The Food Safety and Inspection Service says “Bacteria grow rapidly between the temperatures of 40° F and 140° F. After food is safely cooked, hot food must be kept hot at 140° F or warmer to prevent bacterial growth. Within 2 hours of cooking food or after it is removed from an appliance keeping it warm, leftovers must be refrigerated. Throw away perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90° F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer).”
Watch out For Salsa and Guacamole
Guacamole and Salsa created in large batches risk refrigeration issues.
Cook Staff Cleanliness
Watch out for dirty uniforms, aprons and clothes, as cook staff should not be wiping hands on their uniforms which can harbor bacteria and spread to food.
Salad Bars and Buffets
Salad bars and buffets are dangerous at the wrong temperature. Many people touch the food and utensils and bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Food Turnover
Order the popular items on the menu as turnover is high, and the food hasn’t been lying in the fridge.
Hot Foods
Eat hot food as heat kills germs.