According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of six Americans contracts foodborne diseases every year. Especially if you’re in the food services industry, it’s important to have quality catering packaging products to avoid food spoilage.

To further emphasize just how vital food safety is, here are nine amazing facts you need to know:

Food can spread more than 200 diseases. Just how important food and catering packages are? When not stored properly, food can become home to a plethora of pathogens. And these bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other harmful substances can spread over 200 diseases — the most common of which is diarrhea.

Some groups are more at risk of food poisoning. Some people are at a higher risk of being poisoned by unsafe food. These include pregnant women, children below five years old, adults aged 65 years and above, and immunocompromised individuals.

Food poisoning can cause long-term health consequences. When food is too unsafe (i.e., it contains heavy metals or any other naturally occurring toxins), it can lead to more serious health problems such as neurological diseases and cancers.

Foodborne diseases are a significant burden to the economy. Diseases caused by eating spoiled food are not only dangerous for the health. It also causes significant productivity losses. According to the World Health Organization, low to middle-income countries lose as much as $95.2 billion per year. Medical expenses used to treat foodborne illnesses, on the other hand, amount to $15 billion per year.

Fish is the top food the sickened people in outbreaks. Data from the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System, fish is named as the top food that sickened people in outbreaks with a single known source from 2009 to 2016. Next is dairy, chicken, beef, and mollusks.

Improper storage is a major culprit behind food spoilage. Protecting meals with catering packages can go a long way. Did you know that improper packaging and storage is one of the leading causes of food spoilage? This exposes food to several elements like temperature and moisture.

Cardboard has been used as a food packaging solution since the 1800s. Cost-effective and versatile, cardboard is one of the most popular packaging solutions out there in the market. This material has been first used as a packaging material in 1817.

Not all food needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. Refrigerating and freezing are common methods used to help prolong a food’s life. However, not all kinds of food can be preserved with these techniques. Foods like bread and dry food are better stored in cupboard storage. Tropical produces should not also be kept in the refrigerator.

Appropriate packaging protects food from contamination. With proper packaging, food can be kept protected from contamination. Its other benefits include safekeeping food from physical damage and tampering, especially while in transit.

Established nearly eight decades ago, Donovan Bros is a top supplier of cost-effective packaging solutions. Their comprehensive range of offerings includes premium catering packaging products that will help your meals stay fresh longer. For your orders, call them at 020 8302 6620. Visit https://www.donovanbros.com for more details.