Summer Food Safety
The risk of food poisoning can increase during the summer months. Avoid getting sick by being prepared.
The risk of food poisoning can increase during the summer months. Avoid getting sick by being prepared.
Summer is a time for barbecues, picnics and camping trips. However, fun outdoor meals can come with an increased risk of food borne illness (food poisoning) without thoughtful care and preparation. Food borne illness is caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses and/or parasites. Common causes of food borne illness are from Norovirus, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7 and Campylobacter. Health Canada estimates there are about 4 million cases of food borne illness every year in Canada. Most food borne illnesses are entirely preventable.
The risk of food borne illness can increase during the summer because:
Symptoms common to most food borne illnesses are cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches and fever. Symptoms usually appear within several hours of eating the contaminated food, but can take several days or weeks to appear. Most people recover completely from food borne illness. Some people will have longer lasting and more serious effects. The severity of illness depends on the type of bacteria, and the overall health of the person eating it.
The following tips will help you reduce your risk of food borne illness.
Food | Internal temperature |
---|---|
Hamburgers | 160°F (71°C) |
Steak – medium rare | 145°F (63°C) |
Steak – medium | 160°F (71°C) |
Steak – well done | 170°F (77°C) |
Poultry | 165°F (74°C) |
Fish | 158°F (70°C); until it is opaque and flakes easily |
Hot dogs | 165°F (74°C) |
For tips on what to look for when buying food at a festival or other public event, read the Fraser Health Authority news item Don't let Salmonella or E. coli take the fun out of your summer. For more information about food borne illness visit the Government of Canada and the BC Centre for Disease Control websites.
Last Reviewed: June 2018
If you have questions about physical activity or exercise, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and heard of hearing) toll-free in B.C. Our qualified exercise professionals are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Pacific Time. You can also leave a message after hours.
Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.
HealthLinkBC’s qualified exercise professionals can also answer your questions by email.
If you have any questions about healthy eating, food, or nutrition, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) toll-free in B.C. You can speak to a health service navigator who can connect you with one of our registered dietitians, who are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also leave a message after hours.
Translations services are available in more than 130 languages.
HealthLinkBC Dietitians can also answer your questions by email.