Of dirty, untidy restaurants

Have you ever been to a food establishment and see garbage at or near the entrance? I had this experience last weekend at a well-known food establishment in Portland. The interior, including the restrooms, was so dirty and untidy that I had to quickly leave the place. Other patrons were there and appeared satisfied with the service, leaving me to wonder if I were being too critical.

I have also been to farmers' markets where there are piles of garbage, stagnant water and animals around as vendors parade their wares and shoppers make their purchases. It seems that we, as citizens, have become tolerant of garbage in our public spaces, which will invariably get into our food supply.

Insects and rodents

Dirt and garbage are perfect media for insects, rodents and other carriers of bacteria, viruses and toxins which cause foodborne illnesses. Poor management of waste is an indication of poor hygiene practices. Poor hygiene practices are recipes for foodborne illnesses. If proprietors of food establishments are unwilling to keep their environs clean, it's quite possible that they will also be careless about food-handling practices and put their customers at risk of disease.

Many of the common foodborne illnesses can result in nausea, diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting. People affected by these symptoms often self-medicate and only seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe. Some Jamaicans believe that, 'what no poison, fatten' and that stomach acids will take care of germs in food. Some Jamaicans will say that the heat (from cooking) will kill the germs in food poorly handled before cooking, but what about displaying food in unhygienic conditions after cooking?

Wash your hands

Handwashing is important in reducing the transfer of microorganisms, but I have to wonder if some of these food establishments encourage cross contamination through inadequate handwashing facilities for workers and patrons.

Maybe, Jamaica has not had an outbreak of foodborne illness associated with unhygienic food establishments but, even for aesthetic reasons, and out of concern for their patrons, some of whom are tourists, proprietors should keep their establishments clean.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.