Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Holiday Party Hints for Avoiding Food Poisoning

Thursday - Dec 08, 2011

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

The Do's and Don'ts when it comes to holiday gatherings

SPRINGFIELD - Fancy dips, tempting hors d'oeuvres and delightful desserts are some of the culinary treats we see at holiday dinners, office parties or other celebrations. However, those get-togethers could result in food poisoning if you are not careful. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year roughly one in six Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. In Illinois, it is estimated that as many as 250,000 cases of foodborne illness may occur each year. However, because these illnesses can be mild and because the vast majority of them occur in the home, many go unreported.

Be sure to read the press release for more information

Read the full press relase. (PDF)