Give your baby the right avocado
Avocado is a popular fruit that many mothers add to their babies. Not only does it contain unsaturated fats, but also provides all-round nutrients. Avocado is also one of the first weaning foods best suited for babies. But most mothers do not pay attention to rinsing the skin of the avocado before removing the flesh. A study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shown why washing fruits like these avocados is important and teaches us how to clean avocados before giving them. baby eats.
Why is it necessary to wash the avocado peel and how to wash it?
Most of us don't clean the peel of an avocado before cutting it. After all, we never eat the peel of the avocado, why should we bother? But the answer is we should. And bacteria is the reason.
According to a report from the US FDA released December 7, 2018, researchers discovered a bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes on more than 17% of avocado peels they tested between 2014 and 2016. Amazingly, about 0.2% of these avocados contain bacteria inside the pulp.
In fact, using a knife for cutting is the main way for bacteria from the skin to penetrate the pulp. Therefore, it is advisable to rinse the peel of the avocado before cutting it to prevent bacteria from the skin entering the pulp. For young children, this is obviously important because their immune systems are not yet complete.
The FDA recommends that any vegetables and fruits be thoroughly cleaned before eating. Furthermore, they also recommend that everyone scrub the skin (including the avocado) thoroughly with a special brush to clean fruits and vegetables. Next, you should dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to further eliminate any remaining bacteria on the peel.
Also, don't forget to wash your hands after handling the avocado.
Give your baby the right avocado
Why is the Listeria infection dangerous?
A person infected with Listeria may experience symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and / or nausea.
In severe Listeria infections, the bacteria can invade the nervous system, leading to disorientation, convulsions, and neck stiffness.
Usually, this bacterium is not life-threatening to healthy adults. However, people without stable immune systems such as pregnant women, infants, and the elderly are vulnerable to even the smallest amount of Listeria bacteria.
In particular, Listeria is a type of bacteria that is very dangerous for pregnant women. Although a pregnant woman only exhibits mild, flu-like symptoms when infected with Listeria, bacteria can also attack the fetus.
An unborn baby infected with Listeria infection can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage or premature birth. This is the main reason why pregnant women are strictly advised to avoid foods that may contain Listeria bacteria.
Other findings from the FDA study
This FDA study also detected a Salmonella-related bacterium on 12 avocado peels - about less than 1% of all avocado peels tested.
Through these findings, the FDA confirmed that Salmonella may be present in avocado peels and Listeria monocytogenes can be present on the peel or in the pulp.
In fact, there are still records of outbreaks of Listeria infection caused by eating avocados. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control reported 12 cases of food poisoning from eating avocados between 2005 and 2015. 9 of them were caused by Salmonella and 3 were caused by E.coli. .
The FDA is currently investigating whether processed avocado sauces or salads pose similar health risks. The agency said it is looking for data on the prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in processed avocado products.
Give your baby the right avocado
Other notes in food safety and hygiene for babies
When babies begin to eat solids, mothers need to note a series of food safety rules for babies. Just like preparing baby formula, washing your hands is extremely important before handling and handling food.
In addition to cleaning the avocado peel, keep the following tips in mind and also share them with your maid or other family members:
Tips for handling food hygiene
Always keep raw and cooked foods separate in the refrigerator and during processing. There are separate cutting boards for meat and fish, fruits and vegetables.
Do not feed your baby directly from a large bowl and then put leftovers in the refrigerator. Saliva on the spoon can contaminate the rest of the food. Split a portion of the food onto the plate and if your baby can eat more, use a clean, dry spoon to get more. Leftover food should be stored in an airtight box in the refrigerator and of course, leftovers in a bowl or plate should be thrown away.
Use safe detergents and hot water to wash all utensils and utensils used to prepare baby food, including cutting boards, blender and food processors.
When going out, never put dirty baby diapers in the same bag as food to eliminate the risk of contamination.
Baby food should not be stored at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate them after the above time.
Do not let your baby eat any cracked or split fruit, as bacteria can enter from here. The same goes for eggs even though the shell is only slightly cracked.
Note when preparing food
Cook the meat thoroughly.
If reheating baby food, bring it to a full boil and let it cool, remember to check the temperature before feeding your baby.
If feeding your baby food in a jar, always check that the safety button on the lid is on. Do not feed your baby if the container with the lid is rusty or the glass is chipped and always check the expiration date when buying.
Other things to note
Never give honey to children under one year of age. Honey can contain the clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause serious illness or death.
Do not give infants and young children unpasteurized milk or milk, as it can contain harmful bacteria that can make your baby very sick.
We hope that the article on how to clean avocado peels and eliminate Listeria monocytogenes is useful for mothers. If you liked this article, please share it on your personal page!
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