When you hear about climate change, you probably think of melting ice caps and rising sea levels. But did you know it can also make your food more dangerous? Warmer temperatures and extreme weather events aren’t just affecting crops like honey, chocolate, and coffee—they’re also increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses like Salmonella, Listeria, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Campylobacter.

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Salmonella and Rising Temperatures

One of the biggest culprits is Salmonella, a bacteria that causes food poisoning. It thrives in warm temperatures, multiplying quickly in food that isn’t stored or handled properly. The ideal temperature for Salmonella growth is around 35°C to 37°C (95°F to 98.6°F)—which means as global temperatures rise, food contamination is becoming more common, especially in the summer months.

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It’s Not Just Salmonella

Other harmful bacteria, like Listeria and Campylobacter, also love the heat. These germs can be found in meat, dairy, seafood, and fresh produce, and they can make you seriously sick. Extreme weather events—like heavy rains and heat waves—can make things worse by disrupting food storage and transportation, creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow and spread.

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How to Protect Yourself

While climate change is increasing the risks, there are several steps you can take to reduce your chances of foodborne illness:

1. Practice Safe Food Handling

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food.
• Clean cutting boards and utensils after preparing meat, seafood, and vegetables.
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.

2. Store Food Properly

• Keep perishable foods at or below 4°C (40°F) in the refrigerator.
• Store leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid eating food that has been left out in warm temperatures for too long, especially in summer.

3. Cook Food to the Right Temperature

• Use a food thermometer to ensure proper cooking, especially for poultry and seafood, which are more prone to bacterial contamination.

4. Buy from Trusted Sources

• Purchase food from reliable suppliers who follow strict safety protocols.
• Be cautious with unpasteurised dairy and raw seafood, as these are more likely to be contaminated.

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Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a health crisis, too. Rising temperatures and extreme weather are making foodborne illnesses more common, putting millions at risk. By understanding the connection between climate change and food safety, and by taking the right precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful bacteria. While we can’t control the global climate alone, we can take small steps to ensure that our food remains safe to eat.

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