How is severe food poisoning prevented?

The prevention of severe food poisoning is best achieved by meticulous hand washing, safe food handling practices, and proper food storage. Eating raw or undercooked meats increases your risk of contracting severe food poisoning. Many packages have instructions on handling and cooking, and following these instructions may reduce your risk. It is believed that food poisoning, while underreported, is becoming more common, and that more serious new forms of the condition may be developing. Salmonella and campylobacter are the most frequent causes of food poisoning, while clostridium has been implicated in more than one-half of outbreaks involving contaminated red meat. Various subtypes of Escherichia coli are also important pathogens recently reported in the news. The symptoms range from mild to severe illness, and food poisoning can even cause death.