Food hygiene

It is important to make sure that you reduce the risk of getting foodborne infections from the way you handle, prepare and store food. There are easy steps that you can take in your home that would ensure food safety from the moment you buy food to when you eat it.

Food hygiene is beneficial in the following ways:

• Keeps you healthy: proper food hygiene prevents the spread of infection. Bacteria, viruses and parasites found in food may cause food poisoning.
• Prevents various diseases: food poisoning may lead to dehydration, diarrhoea and vomiting. These can sometimes cause worse health conditions such as kidney failure.
• Makes food last longer: when food is properly prepared and stored, it prevents it from spoiling. Food hygiene helps in making your food last for a longer time.
• Saves cost: spoiled foods and illness cost you money that you can save with proper food hygiene.

You can practice proper food hygiene with the following tips:

• Wash foodstuffs properly: Wash vegetables with clean water. Rinse rice, beans and other grains well before cooking. Also wash your meat and fish properly.
• Wash cooking utensils and equipment before using: cooking utensils and equipment such as pots, plates, knives and cutting boards should be washed well with clean water and soap. Your kitchen surfaces should also be cleaned regularly.
• Wash your hands properly: washing your hands well before handling food prevents infections. Your personal hygiene prevents the transfer of bacteria from yourself to your food. Also, make sure that your family members wash their hands before every meal.
• Proper food storage: how you store food is essential in preserving and preventing contamination. For instance, keep dry food in air-tight containers so that insects and rodents cannot get at them. Store raw foods like meat and fish in the lower compartments of your fridge.
• Use clean water: Wash foodstuff and cooking equipment with clean water. Avoid using water that has a colour, taste or smell.
• Keep pests away: you can use traps to kill rats and mice. Cover foodstuffs like meat and fish to prevent flies from reaching them.
• Replace washing materials often: kitchen towels and sponges should be replaced often. Clean the kitchen immediately after food preparation and cooking are done, and throw away waste appropriately.
• Cook food well: some bacteria do not die when food isn’t cooked properly or for the right amount of time. Pay extra attention to temperature and time when cooking foods like egg, fish, sausage, beef, and chicken.

Taking the above practical steps to reduce food-borne infection is important in keeping you and your family healthy. Wash, prepare and store your food properly. Also, ensure that your kitchen stays clean at all times. Do not forget to sweep, clean and mop your kitchen regularly. Cooking in a neat and clean environment is also more enjoyable. Following the above easy steps would help promote food hygiene in your home.