Water damage to food and hygiene tips
What should be considered after flooding - Information from the food monitoring and veterinary office and the health authority - Information online at www.chemnitz.de
Food can become soaked and soggy; in addition, moisture-sensitive foods can absorb water due to relatively high humidity as an indirect result of water damage. As a result, quality-affecting changes occur that can lead to the food spoiling. This can be seen, for example, in the formation of lumps, the deliquescence of crystalline products, the browning of dried food and the growth of mould.
Metallic food packaging can corrode. In addition, the mechanical stability of cardboard packaging such as outer packaging decreases significantly when soaked with moisture. This can deform or destroy the small consumer packaging inside.
For the treatment of food after water damage
Packaged food and drinks: All food that has been washed by flood water must be considered contaminated and possibly infected. If it is suspected that toxins or infectious waste water may have entered the flood water, the affected food must be disposed of in any case.
Whether the food can be used otherwise depends on the protection provided by the packaging and the risk to the contents when opened. The packaging must be cleaned beforehand for all foods whose packaging has provided sufficient protection - this applies to sealed metal and glass cans. Cleaning should be carried out with detergent substances and brushes. The closures in particular should be cleaned carefully and then rinsed with hot water. For safety reasons, the contents should be boiled before consumption.
The contents of bottles with screw or crown caps should no longer be used. In addition, food in sealed aluminium and plastic packaging or composite films can no longer be consumed, as prolonged exposure to water can cause the packaging to loosen, especially at the welded seams.
Unpackaged food - fruit, vegetables, table potatoes: After exposure to chemicals such as chemical fires or flooding, a laboratory test must always be arranged. Raw consumption must be ruled out if the food has been affected by flooding or extinguishing water. The food must be cleaned and cooked for at least 10 minutes.
Food with obvious defects must be withdrawn from circulation. This applies to soiling due to soot, heat damage and after soaking.
Contact: Food Inspection Authority (LÜVA) of the City of Chemnitz, based at Düsseldorfer Platz 1, 09111 Chemnitz, call 0371/488-3901, fax 0371/488-3999, e-mail: vetamt@stadt-chemnitz.de
Hygiene tips after flooding
Water and mud in flooded areas are often contaminated with pathogens and parasites that can be ingested through hand and mouth contact and open wounds. People involved in clean-up work should therefore adhere to certain hygiene rules: The oldest and most effective protective measure against infectious diseases is still consistent hand hygiene, especially before eating, drinking and smoking: Wash hands with running (warm) water and soap, if possible, also use a hand sanitiser and wear waterproof gloves. In addition, water-repellent or waterproof clothing and rubber boots should be worn during clean-up work. Surfaces soiled with mud should be rinsed with clean tap water after removing the coarse dirt and thoroughly cleaned with a household cleaner. Only in exceptional cases should the surfaces be treated with a surface disinfectant.
Water for human consumption, i.e. for drinking and eating, for personal hygiene or for washing clothes and dishes, must always be of drinking water quality (central drinking water supply or water truck). The use of water from drinking water wells in flooded areas is decided by the public health department after consultation and on the basis of a laboratory analysis.
Soiled laundry and clothing should be washed in the washing machine at a minimum temperature of 60° C using a heavy-duty detergent. Textiles that cannot be washed can be cleaned with a professional dry cleaner, possibly with a disinfectant. In the case of carpets, living room furniture and upholstered furniture that have been in contact with the flood water, the material and suitable cleaning process will determine whether they can be reused or disposed of.
Insect, mouse or rat infestations are encouraged by organic waste . Therefore, liquid-tight, tear-resistant bags should be used for disposal. In connection with flooded parts of buildings, mould infestation that occurs later can have health effects.
Last but not least, the public health department appeals for complete immunisation protection, as there is an increased risk of accidents and injuries during clean-up work. A review of the tetanus vaccination protection with a possibly necessary booster (after 10 years, in case of injury after 5 years from the last vaccination) should be observed.
Contact: Health Department of the City of Chemnitz, located at Am Rathaus 8, 09111 Chemnitz, call 0371/ 488-5832 and 0371/ 488-5320.