Greetings beautiful Steemians, I trust we are all doing great. Thanks, @ninapenda, for organizing this contest. It is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this contest.

[Pictures taken with my phone Tecno Pova neo]

Food plays an important role in the well-being of man. Food contains several nutrients which fuel our overall nature as man, bearing in mind that food is both what we eat and drink.

What do you understand by the word "food poisoning?

Food poisoning can be said to be a pain or unease arising from eating food not fit or unhealthy for consumption. These kinds of foods can also be called contaminated foods, and they are usually as a result of undercooked meal, poorly stored food, unhygienic and poor cooking methods giving room for breeding of bacterias, viruses, parasites or toxins in a meal.

Some people's immune system can also become allergic to some special food substances (protein), bringing about discomfort as well. For example, my body reacts to saccharine mostly in bread.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

Source

There are a wide range of symptoms that show up when one eats contaminated meals and their effects range from mild to severe where the latter (mild) gets resolved on its own when one discontinues the meal, rests and stays hydrated, whereas the severe effects (life-threatening) usually land one in the hospital.

Some of such symptoms are:

• Nausea
• Fever
• Headaches and body aches
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Frequent stooling, otherwise known as diarrhea
• Dysentery and cholera
• Dehydration
• General body weakness and tiredness
• Lack of appetite

It is also good to note that the above-mentioned symptoms in individuals can happen a few minutes after consumption, while others can take days to show reactions.

Ever heard of "Germs no dey kill Africa"? A very popular adage in my place. Well, one day the germs (food poisoning) almost killed me. Initially, I didn't know what it was. I was having severe diarrhea, vomiting, laced with fever and my stomach was seriously aching.

I managed it through the day, but at night the pain didn't subside, there were traces of blood in the stooling, weakness and tiredness. I managed to get to my father's room to explain and was given a piggy ride to the hospital since there was no means of transportation.

Unluckily for me, there was no doctor on duty and the nurses left me in excruciating pains till morning. When a doctor finally showed up to diagnose, he said it was food poisoning. I couldn't explain when I had taken that in, but I was given medication and felt better afterward.

At what point can we say that a particular food is safe for consumption?

Food is said to be fit for consumption when one meets the following standards:

• Cooking food and boiling drinking water properly under the right temperature to kill bacteria and parasites.

• Maintaining proper cooking hygiene and conditions: This can be ensured through washing of hands before cooking or eating meals, washing of utensils before and after use and deworming of veggies by soaking in vinegar or salt solution

• Keep a clean and hygienic food work station free from flies and other contaminants.

• Proper storage of food: Keeping foods at the right temperature and also properly storing food away from rodents, houseflies, cockroaches make it fit for consumption.

• Also, avoid canned or sealed food that has their sealing broken because this invites bacteria into such food substances.

• Look out for an expiry date before purchasing food items to avoid taking in poison

• Be intentional about avoiding foodstuffs which cause allergies.

• Be cautious of raw foods as such food has a high risk of foodborne contaminants.

When food meets all the above-mentioned demands, the food is said to be considered fit for consumption and may not be harmful to man

I invite @eveetim @bluelavender @tripple-e