Decline in hygiene standards contributes to rise in food poisoning

ABU DHABI // The number of cases of food poisoning caused by poor food handling is on the rise, say doctors, welcoming moves by the Government to introduce new hygiene rules. The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority announced new rules this week requiring all food handlers to be certified in hygiene and disease prevention. Courses have already begun and establishments with untrained food handlers risk fines.

Dr Ravin Mehta, a specialist in internal medicine at Al Noor Hospital, said food poisoning was common and on the rise. "I have been here for the last 20 years and I have seen the frequency is definitely increasing." Decreasing hygiene standards and a greater reliance on takeaways and convenience foods had exposed more people to illness, he said. "I have noticed that the sanitation has deteriorated and more people are getting sick. People are not taking care in restaurants. They don't always clean properly and they infect food with their hands and tools."

He said he saw at least one patient a day who complained of gastrointestinal problems, but it was often difficult to determine whether food poisoning was the cause. "People come in and say they have diarrhoea and they've been vomiting. They will say that they've eaten outside - shwarma or any kind of food - and now they feel ill. We give them general medicine." Food poisoning is a term that encompasses a large variety of illnesses that can be contracted through eating contaminated food.

"Food-borne illnesses can be anything from a mild stomach upset that people may misinterpret as a virus to being a full-blown illness," said Dr Murray Van Dyke, the chairman of emergency medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. "Food poisoning is not one disease - it is a collection of diseases. Some of them can produce very severe symptoms under particular circumstances that could result in death, although that is very uncommon."

By far the most common outcomes, he said, were vomiting and diarrhoea. While an upset stomach is the most commonly recognised symptom of food poisoning, the effects can vary with the infection. "Patients feel can cold or feverish," said Dr Mehta. "They are often dehydrated. If it continues it will definitely lead to hospital admission but most of the time we give them medication or perhaps a couple of hours in the hospital on IV drip, and they're OK."

Severe cases can lead to dehydration and kidney failure. "Food poisoning can be dangerous in children but adults are usually able to tolerate the infection," he said. "It is definitely a problem for kids under one or two." There is not much that people can do to avoid contracting food poisoning when dining out. Food is often stored and prepared behind the scenes, out of sight of customers. As a result, patrons must be able to trust the places at which they eat.

"A lack of knowledge on the part of food handlers exposes the public to the potential of food-borne illness," said Dr Van Dyke. "People have to rely on the authorities enforcing the regulations when it comes to commercial sales." It is also important that people do what they can to avoid getting sick, such as maintaining proper hygiene in their own kitchens. "It is not only the problem of the person making the food," said Dr Mehta "The person eating should also take care to clean their hands and wash properly before eating."

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