Eating contaminated or poor quality food affects our health in the long term. (Image: Shutterstock)
Eating food that has expired or is in unhygienic conditions poses significant health risks, such as foodborne illnesses and poisoning.
Recent events have forced us to reconsider our food choices as several restaurants and bakeries in Hyderabad came under investigation for violating food safety laws. The Telangana Food Safety Commissioner found that these establishments were selling expired food with inadequate labelling, raising serious concerns about food safety. Consumption of expired or unhygienic food poses significant health risks, including food-borne illness and food poisoning.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe foods can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals that cause more than 200 diseases, from diarrhea to cancer. Below are some of the risks associated with eating unhygienic and expired foods:
- Foodborne illnesses and poisoningEating expired or unhygienic food increases the risk of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites entering the body. Bacteria and viruses like Salmonella, Norovirus, Vibrio cholerae, etc. cause certain foodborne infections that result in symptoms like nausea, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and abdominal pain. Not only that, unhygienic food preparation practices like not washing hands properly or storing food in untidy places lead to serious foodborne problems.
- Weak immune systemRegular consumption of unhygienic or expired food weakens the immune system over time, making people prone to infections and diseases. To keep the immune system healthy, it is recommended to ensure the consumption of fresh food.
- Digestive problemsThe natural bacteria in our digestive system break down food efficiently. However, this disrupts the digestive process if one consistently consumes unhealthy foods. Some digestive problems related to unhealthy eating include bloating, heartburn, gas, and abdominal pain.
- Long-term health problemsEating contaminated or low-quality food affects our health in the long run and leads to problems such as obesity, diabetes, depression and heart disease. Focus on eating fresh and nutritious food and carefully following food safety regulations to promote healthy living.
- ToxicityExpired foods contain mycotoxins that are harmful to human health. These toxins cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health complications. One should always check the expiration date written on food packages before consuming them to avoid any possible adverse health effects.
To avoid these risks, it is essential to follow proper food safety and hygiene practices, including storing food at proper temperatures, keeping food preparation areas clean, and monitoring expiration dates.
