According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), “While the American food supply is among the safest in the world, the Federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually—the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans each year. And each year these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
” Some of the most common organisms that cause foodborne illnesses include: Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis, E. coli, Hepatitis A,Listeria monocytogenes, Noroviruses,Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus per the FDA.
While the food sources vary depending on the organism, they can come from:
- Eggs
- Meats
- Stews
- Dried foods
- Raw poultry
- Fresh produce
- Pre-cooked foods
- Undercooked poultry
- Raw or undercooked seafood
- Unpasteurized milk or cheese
- Temperature-abused foods
- Baked potatoes in aluminum foil
- Food that was not properly refrigerated
- Food contaminated by an ill restaurant worker
- Food or water contaminated by human feces
- Improperly canned foods, especially those that are canned at home
Restaurant Safety Inspections in Plano, Texas
Public health departmens throughout Texas are in the practice of conducting health inspections at restaurants on a regular basis. They do this to prevent foodborne illnesses and keep the public safe. Some examples of what health inspectors look for include:
- Employees who are not washing their hands properly,
- Unsafe food-handling practices, such as not keeping hair up or wearing gloves,
- Food that is not properly refrigerated,
- Food that is not properly stored,
- Inspects and rodents that can contaminate food,
- Dirty kitchens and restaurants,
- Trash that is not properly disposed of, and
- Food that is stored on dirty surfaces like the floor.
Have you or someone you love fallen very ill after eating at a local restaurant? If so, it DOES matter and the state cares about what happened too. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services,“Food safety is serious business in Texas. Our efforts are dedicated toward elimination of food borne illness in the Lone Star State through personal and professional excellence. This endeavor requires the help of all public health regions, state and federal agencies, local and city health departments, private industry, and the public.”
Next: Why Most Personal Injury Cases Settle Out of Court
Did you get sick after eating at a restaurant? If so, you may have claim for compensation. Contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC today.
