Food poisoning is an uninvited guest that can ruin any party. During your festivities keep these food safety tips in mind:

* Refrigerate or freeze perishable food within 2 hours(1 hour if temperatures are above 80 degrees).

* Never place fresh fruit/vegetables or cooked food in the same container or on the same surface that raw food has touched.

* Always wash your hands after handling raw meat. Scrub hands, wrists, fingernails and in between fingers with soap for at least 20 seconds.

“One of the major issues over the hot summer months concerns improperly stored food”, states Dr. Jill Michels a Clinical Pharmacist and Director of the Palmetto Poison Center at USC’s College of Pharmacy. “ As the temperature rises the risk for bacteria
growth increases. Always follow proper storage methods for events both inside and
outside.” Food poisoning can present itself in different ways, but common symptoms include nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

The Palmetto Poison Center is staffed by trained nurses and pharmacists who can provide expert information when any poisoning occurs. The Center provides services to over 5 million residents in all 46 counties of South Carolina. Services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To contact the Palmetto Poison Center, call 1-800-222-1222. Additional information and free materials can be obtained by visiting our website at http://poison.sc.edu or follow the Poison Center on Facebook, “Palmetto Poison Center”.