Food Safety: Risks of Fly Contamination & Foodborne Illness

When flies land on food, they can contaminate it with bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses. These microorganisms can include Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause a variety of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Flies can also transmit diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera.

In addition to contaminating food with bacteria, flies can also lay eggs in food, which can hatch into maggots. Maggots can feed on food, causing it to spoil and become unsafe to eat.

To prevent flies from contaminating food, it is important to keep food covered and to dispose of garbage properly. It is also important to keep flies out of the kitchen by using screens on windows and doors.