Prepare for the Unexpected: 5 tips to ensure food safety

Today, 7 June 2024, we join the rest of the world to celebrate Food Safety Day, and we have curated these simple steps with which one can easily keep their food safe and healthy.

Keep clean

Wash hands before food handling and when switching from raw ingredients to another.

Clean all surfaces and instruments before and after food preparation

Keep insects and pest away from food by using proper cover/lids

Use hot, soapy water to wash equipment and tools used on raw foods such as meat, poultry & fish

Separate raw and cooked

Store raw meat, poultry, fish on the bottom shelf of your fridge to avoid spilling over other food items.

It is possible that the juice in raw food especially meat and fish can contain harmful microorganisms, so use different utensils and tools, preferably in different colours, such as chopping board, plates and knives in handling them.

Store food in containers with lids to avoid raw food coming in contact and spillages with prepared food

Cook food thoroughly

Cook all food to a temperature of 70% and above or make sure that every food boils. At this temperature, food is safe for consumption.

Cook eggs, fish , poultry and meat until tender and soft to kill harmful bacteria.

Reheat prepared food properly

Keep food at safe temperature. Food should be served hot at 60 degree Celsius and above.

Food should be refrigerated at 4 degree Celsius or below. Defrost/thaw food in a refrigerator, cold water, running water or in a microwave and not at room temperature.

For food sellers in restaurants, avoid holding food at room temperature over the counter for a long time more than 2 hours. If not, heat properly before serving because microorganisms multiply rapidly at room temperature.

Use safe water and raw materials

Always use potable water. Wash fruits and vegetables before use in food preparation or eating raw.

Do not use expired products. Don’t use spoiled or deteriorated foods. Select fresh and wholesome foods in the market, and in all, make your life pleasurable by eating healthy.

Happy World Food Safety Day 2024!

…By Chioma Ugbana