Is Your Salami Tainted?

Always be careful while you or someone else is handling your meat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that they are investigating two separate salmonella outbreaks across 17 states that they believe are linked to Italian-style meats, including salami, pepperoni, and sausages. The source of the other outbreak remains unknown.

According to USA Today:

No deaths have been reported as a result of the outbreaks, but the CDC reports 36 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations.

 

How to Cook Meat Properly

The way you cook your meat can either make or break your meal. Undercooked beef, chicken, or pork could contain harmful bacteria like E. coli or salmonella. Cooking food thoroughly is important if you want to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. There are several ways you can check meat for doneness: touch, sight, sound, and temperature. Touch is self-explanatory—if it feels firm and springs back when pressed with a finger, it’s done cooking.

If you face a higher risk for salmonella, the CDC advises heating all Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.

 

What to do?

If you suspect you’ve been exposed to these salmonella strains, call your doctor. While some strains of salmonella will clear up on their own without treatment, there are others for which treatment is necessary.

What Food Poisoning Does

Food poisoning causes discomfort and, in extreme cases, death. Food poisoning is caused by eating food or water that has been contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites. Food poisoning most often occurs when a person does not follow safe food handling practices.