Eat, sleep, drink, repeat. Eat, sleep, drink, repeat. These three steps are common routines individuals may perform on a daily basis. Consumption of meals are known to play a key role in managing a healthy body and lifestyle. For some, maintaining a healthy body may mean consuming fruits and greens. Others may prioritize having the traditional meals, and a few treats on the side. Reported by the World Health Organization, having a good diet supports the body in fighting against disease such as diabetes, heart-disease, and cancer. Yet, as the foods we eat fight disease, they can attack us with diseases too.
For students here at Paso Robles High, the lunch staff provide healthy lunches five days a week from the cafeteria. But outside of school, students are exposed to foods of every kind, no matter if it’s healthy or not. Because of this, it’s important for students to be aware of foodborne illnesses, such as listeria, and salmonella. Both listeria and salmonella are bacteria that can infect foods, and those who eat it. Listeria can cause headaches, fever, and neck pain.

Here in the U.S, from July to early September of 2024, a salmonella and listeria epidemic spread out of Virginia and Wisconsin, due to the commercial brands, Boar’s Head Deli meat being contaminated with listeria, Milo’s Poultry Farms eggs infected with salmonella. The CDC, or Center for Disease Control reported, “As of September 6, 2024, a total of 65 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from nine states One of the nine included was California. The Boar’s Head Deli Meat is described to have infected 43 individuals in thirteen states.

To keep students healthy and protected from these illnesses, the CDC recommends school communities to have their students receive vaccinations, disinfect, clean, and sanitize surfaces and objects that come into contact with many individuals. It’s good to fill our stomachs with what we like, yet it’s also a convenient reminder to be aware of what we’re eating to be safe.