Cooking Articles Article:
Bacteria and Food-borne Diseases
Types of Bacteria
Bacteria are all around us, in the air, water, ground, on our skin and in our bodies. They are classified in a variety of ways, but for our purpose we can categorize them in a more basic way.
Harmless bacteria - Most bacteria fall into this category. They are neither help us nor are harmful to us. These bacteria have a specific purpose, but are not a concerning to us in terms of food safety,
Beneficial bacteria - Believe it or not some bacteria are helpful to us. Some bacteria are used in foods to make cheeses and yogurts. And still others live in our bodies to fight of harmful bacteria.
Undesirable bacteria - Undesirable bacteria is responsible for food spoilage. This type of bacteria may not make you sick, but they show themselves by the use of odors, sticky or slimy surfaces and discoloration.
Illness causing bacteria or pathogens - These are the bacteria that cause most food-borne illnesses. Pathogens do not necessarily leave detectable odors or taste in food. This makes it impossible to tell if food is contaminated by smelling or tasting, or looking at it. The only way to protect yourself from this bacteria is by proper food handling and sanitation.
Bacteria Growth
Bacteria simply multiply by splitting in half. Under the ideal conditions, they can double in number every 15 to 30 minutes. This means that one single bacterium could multiply to a million in less than 6 hours.
What do bacteria need to multiply?
Food - Some from of food is a basic requirement for bacteria to grow.
Moisture - Water is required for bacteria in order to absorb food. Dry foods will not support bacterial growth. As well, foods with very high salt or sugar content make bacteria unable to use the moisture present.
Temperature - Bacteria grow best at warm temperatures between 40 and 140°F. This temperature range is what we call the food danger zone.
Air - Most bacteria require oxygen to grow, but not all. There are some exceptions, one type of bacteria being botulism.
Time - When bacteria are introduced to a new environment, they need time to adjust before they start to grow. This time is called the lag phase and last about one hour.
How is bacteria transferred?
Bacteria are carried from one place to another by being carried. This can happened by peoples hands, coughs, other food, utensils, equipment, water, or pests.
Preventing Bacteria Growth
Now that we know how bacteria grow and are spread; we should be able to prevent food-borne illness by following three simple steps.
1. Keep bacteria from spreading by not letting anything that might contain bacteria tough the food. This includes people, dirty equipment, utensils and possibly other foods.
2. Stop bacteria from growing by taking away the conditions that encourage growth. The most effective way is to keep food out of the danger zone. Keep foods below 40°F and about 140°F
3. Finally kill the bacteria. Most bacteria are killed if they are subject to a temperature above 165°F for 30 seconds. This is how we make food safe by cooking. This heat is also how we sanitize dishes and equipment. Certain chemicals (such as bleach) also kill bacteria. Using sanitizing agents is best way to sanitize counter tops and large equipment.
About The Author
Chef Richard has worked in some of the finest restaurants in Washington State and is the author of the ebook "Chef's Special". You can find free recipes, informative articles and order the ebook at http://www.csrecipes.com
Related Perfect Cooking News and Articles From ezinearticles.com
I'm not what you'd call the ideal consumer. Yeah, I have stuff, but I don't buy on impulse and I don't have to have every gadget that comes out. I'm not a commercial watcher and I don't care for magazines so I have no idea what the latest thing might be.
One of the most adaptable and effective type of accessories that you could add to your kitchen is a pot rack. A custom pot rack addition to your kitchen brings with it a stylish appearance, and a way to organize your kitchen's work area, plus pot racks give off a fashionable statement that is unequaled by other accessories you may purchase.
What do you think of when Mexican food comes to mind? Most people think of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or tamales. These popular Mexican dishes can all be made with a variety of ingredients. Turkey, beef, chicken, pork, and seafood are all great choices for any of these typical recipes. These recipes are prepared all over the world.
A Zojirushi bread machine is like the Rolls Royce of breadmakers. They have been making quality housewares for nearly 100 years and their bread machines are widely regarded as some of the best on the market.
The Carne Asada series concludes with ideas on how to serve carne asada once it is complete. The following article discusses what makes for a great Carne Asada Taco.
Without food and water, life is impossible. Similarly, without the best cooking pots, pans, and cookware cooking is impossible. There are several reasons for cooking with stainless steel pans.
Continuing the Carne Asada Marinade Recipe series, the following content discusses popular grilling methods. No carne asada is complete without the techniques discussed here.
If you have marinated a steak before, the chances are that you used a readymade bottled marinade. There are lots of wonderful steak marinades available but making your own steak marinades is a much better idea, for various reasons.
Pasta is a great dish made properly, but no amount of diversity makes up for an attempt failed due to low quality ingredients. Real pasta lovers make their noodles at home and to choose a pasta machine that fits their needs they need to avoid some common mistakes.
However, portable grills are becoming more and more popular because they can be taken just about anywhere. Not only that, but these types of grills also have various accessories included with them. The first and main reason why portable grills are an efficient idea is because they can be easily toted around.
