Stop eating these common snacks immediately! Or they may cause poisoning! Have you ever eaten them?

Expert of this article: Pa Lize, Chief Physician of Nutrition, Science Popularization Committee Member of Chinese Nutrition Society

Chocolate is popular for its silky and mellow taste. It is not only a favorite snack for children, but also an indispensable component of wedding candy.

However, recently a well-known brand of chocolate was contaminated with Salmonella, and several types of problematic products were recalled. The General Administration of Customs "specifically" urged people not to eat the related products.

Source: Screenshot of the report from the General Administration of Customs’ official website

Why is chocolate contaminated with salmonella? How can you tell whether food is infected with salmonella in daily life? I hope you know these before choosing.

Why is chocolate contaminated with Salmonella?

Chocolate is made from the seeds of the cocoa tree, a tropical tree.

The chocolate we usually think of was created more than 100 years ago by Swiss pastry chef Daniel Peter, who added milk powder and sugar to cocoa bean products (cocoa powder and cocoa butter) that had no taste other than bitterness, to create a solid with a firm and smooth texture. This chocolate formula can make the surface as smooth as glass, can be sculpted into various shapes, and slowly melt in the mouth.

Chocolate is rich in glycolipids and the production process is complicated. There is also the possibility of contamination by microorganisms or other microorganisms, especially Salmonella.

Salmonella is the most familiar foodborne pathogen to humans and is most common in meat, eggs and milk. Chocolate is most likely contaminated by raw milk powder contaminated with Salmonella.

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In addition, because the fats in chocolate can protect Salmonella from being killed by stomach acid, eating contaminated chocolate is more likely to cause food poisoning or more serious symptoms.

How to tell if food is contaminated with Salmonella? What symptoms will occur after eating it?

Although spoilage and odor are the main sensory identification methods for food contamination by microorganisms, the growth and reproduction process of Salmonella does not decompose protein components. Without laboratory culture and testing, it is difficult for the public to tell with the naked eye whether Salmonella is contaminated.

The probability of food poisoning from eating food contaminated by Salmonella is very high, and Salmonella has become the most important foodborne pathogen that countries around the world must control first.

When salmonella enters the human body, it can multiply in the intestines and enter the blood through the lymphatic system. The main symptoms of poisoning are acute gastroenteritis. If the bacteria produce toxins, it will cause symptoms of the central nervous system, such as fever and convulsions (body convulsions).

What other foods are likely to be contaminated with Salmonella?

Salmonella is found in many types of food, most notably various meats, fish, eggs and milk.

However, other Salmonella species are also found in plant leaves, especially in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, arugula, coriander, basil, mint, cabbage, and lettuce that are eaten raw and served cold. There is also Salmonella Typhimurium in tomato, bell pepper, and cucumber leaves.

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It can be seen from this that to prevent Salmonella contamination, we should not only pay attention to the contamination of animal foods, but also be wary of the contamination of vegetables and other plant foods.

Salmonella food poisoning is generally caused by eating food and infecting the digestive tract. The reason why Salmonella can be widely present in the external environment is that it has a certain resistance to sunlight. However, it has a weak resistance to high temperatures and can be killed at 80°C.

Therefore, in order to avoid contamination by the widespread Salmonella, when preparing food at home, before and during cooking, when in contact with raw meat, fish, egg shells, etc., you need to wash your hands thoroughly before continuing cooking. It is best to use running water and hand sanitizer to wash your hands thoroughly.

Meat and eggs should be cooked before eating, and all knives, cutting boards and tableware should be thoroughly rinsed with hot water. In addition, a reminder: boil unpasteurized milk before drinking.

What should we pay attention to when choosing this kind of food?

It is difficult to make sure that you do not choose food that is contaminated by Salmonella during daily shopping. If you have ever bought or eaten food that is contaminated by Salmonella and has been removed from the shelves, there is no need to panic.

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According to international food safety rules and my country's Food Safety Law, contaminated products will be removed from shelves immediately, and similar products may not necessarily be contaminated.

When choosing to buy commonly eaten fresh foods, such as eggs, milk, meat, etc., especially eggs, you must remember that "freshness is king" and do not be tempted by the gimmick of "free-range eggs".

Try to choose eggs from large-scale chicken farms that have health supervision and prevention and control measures for poultry diseases. The eggs you buy can be stored in the refrigerator. Do not buy broken eggs. If you accidentally buy cracked eggs, be sure to cook them thoroughly before eating.

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