What is salmonella contamination? Causes and symptoms you should know

Not only eggs, even your fruits and vegetables could be contaminated by salmonella.

Almost 7000 tons of Lactalis baby milk formula has been withdrawn from the market because of the fear of salmonella-contaminated. According to media reports, almost 20 cases have been reported against it. But what is salmonella contamination and how dangerous is it? Here's all about Salmonella contamination, causes and common symptoms:

Salmonella contamination:

A salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause food poisoning and intestinal infection. It usually occurs when someone eats food that is contaminated with animal or human faeces bacteria. It is highly associated with eggs poultry and meat but even other foods like vegetables, fruits etc can be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can be very serious for infants, old people and people suffering from chronic diseases. However, cooking and pasteurizing can kill Salmonella bacteria. Here are a few major sources of salmonella contamination:

Seafood and meat: Feces bacterial may get onto the raw meat that you buy even after washing during the butchering process. Fish from water contaminated with Salmonella bacteria can be infectious too.

Raw eggs: Infectected chicken may produce eggs that are contaminated with salmonella. Therefore, contamination occurs even before the shell is formed. Mayonnaise and various food dips use raw eggs.

Fruits and vegetables: While growing fruits and vegetables in the field, they may be contaminated with water infected with salmonella bacteria. Contaminated raw meat and poultry in contact with veggies in uncooked foods such as salad could also be a problem.

The symptoms mostly occur after a couple of hours after consuming contaminated food. Here are a few symptoms of salmonella contamination that you should know:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Cramps
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Body Aches

You must visit a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms. These symptoms can get severe over time if required medical attention isn't provided in time. Grave health complications can develop if the infection spreads beyond your intestines.

References:

Forshell, L. P., & Wierup, M. (2006). Salmonella contamination: a significant challenge to the global marketing of animal food products. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz, 25(2), 541-554.

Gorman, R., Bloomfield, S., & Adley, C. C. (2002). A study of cross-contamination of food-borne pathogens in the domestic kitchen in the Republic of Ireland. International journal of food microbiology, 76(1), 143-150.

Shivaprasad, H. L., Timoney, J. F., Morales, S., Lucio, B., & Baker, R. C. (1990). Pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis infection in laying chickens. I. Studies on egg transmission, clinical signs, fecal shedding, and serologic responses. Avian diseases, 548-557.