Food poising is one of the most common sources of illness in the United States. On the other hand, it can also be prevented more easily than any other illness. Since your baby is of very vulnerable to germs and is 100% dependent upon your cleanliness and care then it would be wise to take the following advice:

1. Washing your hands before handling any of your baby's food and dishes are extremely important. Babies are very susceptible to germs and although you may consider washing your hands common sense, many parents forget.

2. Before opening your baby's food jars please run the tops of them through water or wash the dust off with a damp cloth.

3. Do not feed your baby its baby food directly from a food jar. When the spoon goes from the baby's mouth and back into the jar again, the enzymes and bacteria from the saliva will cause the leftover food to spoil faster because it causes digestion of the food. However, you may do this so long as it is the last meal from the jar.

4. When preparing food for your baby and doing taste tests for freshness, be sure to use a clean spoon each time because as stated above, you do not want your saliva entering the food jar and causing it to spoil.

5. If you use a can-opener that is rusty to open up your baby's food (or any other canned foods for that matter) then throw it away immediately. Use only a clean non-rusted can-opener.

6. If you are feeding your baby fruits and vegetables, be sure to peel them completely to avoid your baby digesting topical toxins like pesticides. However, if you buy organically grown foods then you do not have to worry about peeling away the skins. In fact this will be healthier for your baby.

7. Eventually your doctor will give you the green light to feed your baby egg whites. When the time comes be sure to thoroughly cook them to avoid salmonella

8. Always store dry baby cereals and your unopened baby food jars away from heat from the stove. The area should be a cool and dry place.