Pizzas are one of the most intended foods that may cause sickness. Pizza is a staple food for most people all over the globe. Pizza is one of the most popular choices for lunch or dinner, and also you can eat it whenever you want.
With the availability of different styles and textures and easy accessibility; Pizza has become one of the most desired foods in the world. However, despite how we all cherished it, many restaurants and food stores overlook the safety of this food.
Safety is related to making, and handling the pizza afterward. Here, in this article, we are going to cover if there is any chance of getting food poisoning from pizza and if yes then how we can avoid our sickness.
Causes of food poisoning from pizza
There are several reasons to have food poisoning from pizza. Here are the following reasons of getting food poisoning from pizza:
- The most common cause of food poisoning from pizza is salmonella; it is a bacteria found in raw vegetables and fruits. But, how these bacteria get into the pizza from the plant is not cleared. The bacteria may reside in the soil where the plants grow or in the water that was used to irrigate the plants.
- Parasites like Toxoplasma gondi can be the cause of food poisoning from pizza. This parasite can infect any warm-blooded animal and if the conditions are appropriate then it multiplies. This parasite generally stays in the cat’s intestine and is not spread by eating the undercooked meat.
- E. coli can be another cause of food poisoning from pizza. It can be found in raw vegetables and fruits. This bacteria spread through contaminated food or water that was infected by any contaminated cattle.
- Viral contaminations such as enteroviruses, Hepatitis A can be another cause of getting food poisoning from pizza. These viruses spread through contaminated water or food.
- Bacterial infection can be another cause of food poisoning from a pizza. These bacteria can be campylobacter, clostridium per-fringes, salmonella, shigella dysenteries, and listeria monocytogenes.
- Some toxins and chemicals also can be the cause of food poisoning from the pizza. These toxins include botulinum toxin, nitrate, cyanide, etc. These toxins and chemicals generate naturally in some of the food and you cannot predict these toxins through standard food safety testing procedures. These can be present in very minimal quantities (0.1-0.5%) or less.
Is it safe to eat pizza?
Yes, you can eat pizza fearlessly as long as it is baked very well. But, you can run through any allergy test before opting for any pizza to know whether you are allergic to any particular kind of toppings.
So, it will let you know that you are allergic to pizza, so you must avoid eating pizza.
Why does pizza make me sick?
You may get sick after having a pizza because of your gastrointestinal problems and here are a few reasons:
#1. Celiac disease and having gluten sensitivity:
Wheat, barley, and rye contain gluten, which is a type of protein. If you have gluten sensitivity then there is a chance that you may suffer from celiac disease. Celiac disease causes your immune system will react to gluten. It will result in damage to the villi in the small intestine.
It may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea as the damaged intestine is unable to absorb any food.
#2. Lactose intolerance:
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese contain a type of sugar. It is known as lactose. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, then your body can’t break down lactose due to the lack of enzyme lactase.
So, after ingesting the cheese on a pizza, you may experience episodes of diarrhea and stomach pain. Besides, lactose intolerance may cause some common symptoms such as:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Rumbling sound in your stomach
- Diarrhea
#3. High-fat contain:
Your body can have problems from the high amount of fat in cheese on a pizza. High fat can cause poor digestion and can leave the food for a longer period in the stomach. So, your body may experience discomfort because of high-fat consumption.
#4. Acidic food intolerance:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can get worse if you intake more acidic stuff such as chilies, and tomato sauce used in pizza, fatty food, chocolates, caffeine, spicy food, and carbonated drinks.
Our stomach produces acid and digests the food that we eat and in this process also kills harmful bacteria. So, if you suffer from GERD, then the consumption of pizza may cause inflammation in the intestine and acute pain.
#5. Allergy concerns from the pizza ingredients:
If you are allergic to some specific food ingredients then having a pizza may cause gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You may experience this discomfort within a few minutes or a few hours.
Some other signs are associated with allergens including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weak pulse
- Stomach pain
- Inflammation around your mouth or eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sleeping discomfort
#6. Food contamination during processing:
If the pizza is being made with mishandled then it may cause food poisoning. It can be that the meat was not cleaned properly, or the pies are cut on a surface that is already contaminated.
If the chefs did not wash their hands properly before going ahead, then this can lead to foodborne diseases such as:
- Belly pain and discomfort in the stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you are suffering from food poisoning accompanied by fever and vomiting then you need to consult with a doctor immediately.
Ways to avoid pizza food poisoning
- Wash your ingredients: you need to wash properly the raw veggies before using them on the pizza. Don’t use raw vegetables directly from the grocery store. You need to wash them under running water and scrap them using your hands to remove the dirt.
- Never undercook: one biggest mistake causing food poisoning is undercooking the pizza. If you undercook the pizza then the germs and the bacteria remain alive. You need to be sure that the pizza has reached 1600F degrees before you take it off the oven.
- Maintain basic hygiene: You need to follow simple hygiene guidelines inside the kitchen. If you maintain as much as possible, you will stay away from diseases.
- Cover the pizza: Covering the pizza on the dinner table enable everyone from getting sick. You never know who is carrying the germs.
- Keep your food warm: It is not good to keep your food at the counter for a long. You can warm the food before heating it as heating will kill many germs and bacteria.
Conclusion:
Pizza is a staple food around the nation. If the person who is making pizza has any symptoms that may lead to viruses or germs then there is a chance of suffering from food poisoning.
So, we must be aware while having pizza either from any renowned food outlet, restaurant, or homemade. Before having a pizza you can check its smell and texture.
It is also advisable if matters go wrong then immediately consult a doctor.
