FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN
By John C. Wolf, D.O.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine®
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

MAYONNAISE GIVEN "BAD RAP" AS PICNIC SPOILER

Question: Last summer we all got food poisoning from eating at a family picnic. Other than the food disaster, the picnic was great. We plan to gather together again this summer. What must we do to prevent another episode of food poisoning?

Answer: Well, I'll assume that your family is generally on good terms, and therefore that the illness was not caused by purposeful actions. As your family noticed at the last picnic, an episode of food-borne illness can turn a picnic into a memorable, but not pleasant, event.

More that 25 percent of the food-borne illnesses reported to the federal government's Centers for Disease Control are caused by Salmonella. These bacteria can be present in diary products, eggs, beef and poultry. Once the tainted food is consumed, the bacteria reproduces inside the body and causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever within eight to 48 hours.

Staphylococcus aureus, another bacterial germ, is the second most common cause of food-borne illness, representing about 15 percent of the total number of cases reported. It is different than Salmonella poisoning in several ways. The illness begins one to eight hours after eating the contaminated food, and the vomiting is more severe and the diarrhea is less intense than in Salmonella poisoning. Also, Staph food poisoning is the result of consuming a poison made by the bacteria rather than as a direct result of an infection with bacteria itself.

The best way to prevent these bacteria from attacking your food and your family is to keep all foods "cooking hot" (above 140 degrees) or "refrigerator cold" (below 45 degrees) until they are consumed. Transporting your picnic meal in separate insulated containers for hot and cold items should be satisfactory for meals that are to be consumed within four or five hours. For meals that are to be eaten later than this, it is safest to take canned or frozen food and then cook the hot dishes immediately before the meal.

Other bacteria, viruses, chemicals and parasites can cause food-borne illnesses. To lessen your risk of these, wash your fruits and vegetables at home before you leave on your picnic. It is also wise to take your water with you if the water at the picnic site is of unknown quality.

Question: Is mayonnaise a bad thing to put in picnic foods? I've always thought it was. In fact, we think it was what made all of us sick last summer.

Answer: Mayonnaise has gotten an undeserved bad reputation. Food poisoning has often been blamed on contaminated potato salad containing mayonnaise. The potato salad can be the source of several types of food poisoning, but it is due to improper food storage or handling, not mayonnaise. In fact, most brands of mayonnaise contain some vinegar that makes it more acidic and, therefore, less likely than most foods to develop food poisoning. The most common cause of food poisoning at picnics is actually improperly prepared or stored meats.

In addition to planning for your picnic meal wisely, you may also consider a few other health tips as you prepare for your next family gathering. Be sure to have adequate "non-alcoholic beverages available and encourage all to consume them frequently. Drinking sufficient liquids is one of the best ways to prevent heat-related illnesses. You should also consider how "sun-sensitive" your family members are. Those with fair skin or others taking certain medications or with specific illnesses can get a severe sunburn with minimal sun exposure. Individuals with these problems should wear protective clothing or wear sunscreen lotion to protect their skin. And individuals who have allergic reactions to bees should take their EpiPen with them.

A little extra preparation will ensure that your picnic outings this summer are more enjoyable than last year's.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to John C. Wolf, D.O., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Grosvenor Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701.