Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or making a dish for one, it’s important to make sure you’re being careful in the kitchen. 

About 48 million people get sick from food poisoning every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A common cause is E. coli. 

In fact, multiple E. coli outbreaks have recently been reported. 

“E. coli is bacteria, and there’s many different forms. There are some forms that are a healthy part of our body. There are some forms that cause certain types of infections, like urinary tract infections. And then there’s the group of E. coli bacteria that people usually think about, which are the ones that cause food borne illness,” explained Donald Dumford, MD, infectious disease specialist for Cleveland Clinic.

The risk for E. coli exposure can happen anywhere, said Dr. Dumford. So, how can you prevent it at home? 

To start, he recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing any food. 

You should also wash your fruits and vegetables. 

Cross-contamination is another concern. 

To help avoid that, keep your countertops clean and do not reuse the same knife or cutting board for raw meat and fresh produce, like lettuce. 

If you do, you could transfer harmful bacteria. 

Finally, make sure you’re cooking meat to the right temperature. 

“There’s occasionally outbreaks of E. coli among ground beef that makes it into supermarkets, but it can be mitigated by making sure that you’re cooking your beef to an appropriate temperature,” said Dr. Dumford. “So that’s really one of the most important things we have to think about when we’re talking about prevention for this or any other foodborne illnesses.”

Exposure to E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. 

Symptoms usually resolve on their own. However, in some cases a person may need to be hospitalized.