OBJECTIVE
i. To find the causes of contamination of children’s food
ii. To determine the effects on children with contaminated foods
iii. To find ways to overcome the contamination of children’s food
POINTS AND DESCRIPTION
EFFECTS OF CONTAMINATION ON CHILDRENS FOOD
Making decisions regarding food choices is essential for humans as they must eat
foods that provides energy and prevent food that can act as a threat towards health such as
poisonous or rotten foods. Failure in selecting the proper foods has obvious consequences.
Ingesting dangerous substances can lead to illness, or even death, meaning that it is critical
for humans to learn how to avoid potentially dangerous foods. Young children are
particularly bad at choosing their source of nutrients as they are willing to put nonfoods and
disgust elicitors into their mouths. In view of the fact that the food choice is inherently social,
it is hypothesised by researchers that social learning and contamination might seperately
influence toddler’s decisions about whether to eat or prevent food. Consuming poisonous or
toxic substances will lead to anything from minor symptoms (e.g., migraine and nausea) into
a bigger problems which can eventually lead to death (Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2019a, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019b). . You usually get food
poisoning from eating food or drinking water tainted with bacteria, viruses, or parasites -- or the
toxins that they make. Anyone can get it, but children younger than 5 have a higher chance because
their immune systems aren’t as good at fighting off germs yet. Plus, they don’t have as much
stomach acid, which not only breaks down foods but can also kill germs. Just like adults, kids pretty
much have to ride out the symptoms until they’re better. But because children have smaller bodies,
a lot of diarrhea and throwing up can take a toll on them more quickly, so there are some things to
look out for. Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting. Vomiting is
the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through the
mouth. The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For children, it is common for vomiting to
occur from a viral infection, food poisoning, milk allergy, motion sickness, overeating or feeding,
coughing, or blocked intestines and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.
Figure
From the previous survey we conducted within UiTMPP students, 74.5 percent from
the 235 respondent agree that whenever a child does not wash their hands before consuming
their food, it will effect the food to be contaminated. One possible effect from this behaviour
will lead to the spread of bacteria since children under the age of 5 have the highest incidence
rates of some foodborne illness infections (e.g., Escherichia coli [E. coli], Salmonella;
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019a, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2019b), including the infant under 2 years who are most likely age group to
accidentally poison themselves (Cashdan,1994).
Figure
According to the statement above from the survey, 80.9 percent respondent from
UiTMPP students agree that food contamination can cause illness among children as they
share toys, toilet and other facilities. Foods can easily get contaminated basically by the
existence of harmful pathogens in our basic surroundings, such as microorganisms, bacteria,
viruses, mould, fungi and toxins. This will efect the condition of the foods and will
eventually result in severe stomach pain, diarrhoea and food poisoning towards the children.
Figure
In this figure, 80.4 percent from the total of 235 respondent agree that cooked foods
may get contaminated if it is left out at a room temperature for more than a few hours. This
will effect the condition of the food since it is a high-risk foods that have been left out in the
temperature danger zone for longer than 2 hours which was supposed to be consumed
immediately. This results for children to eat foods that have been contaminated if it was
distributed at the wrong timing. Thus, the risk of children from having food poisoning
increases.
Figure
From the survey we conducted, we found out that 74.5 percent of UiTMPP students
agree regarding poor handling, preparation of food and improper cooking or stage can
multiply the bacteria to childrens food. With these factors, it will give a huge impact on the
young infants well being especially on their non fully developed organ. Foodborne disease
studies conducted around the world have revealed that the majority of food poisoning cases
occur during the processing of food in the preparation stage at home or at food production
sites.
Figure
In this survey, 69.8 percent from 235 respondent have agreed towards the statement
regarding feeding children leftover foods have a higher chance on children’s health risk.
Diarrhea or vomiting are common side effects of food poisoning. These symptoms can occur
within a few hours to a few days once food containing bacteria is eaten. Many people believe
leftovers to be planned overs; you make additional food with the goal of using it over the next
few days. It's critical to observe proper food management standards while using leftovers.
Many people are unaware of how quickly leftovers can spoil and cause food illness.
REFERENCE
Li, Y. et. al., (2020). Social identity and contamination: Young children are more willing to
eat native contaminated foods. National Library of Medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7474662/
