Proper food handling is crucial to ensure the food we eat is safe and does not pose a health risk. While it may seem simple, many people unknowingly make small mistakes that can lead to food poisoning. Let’s take a look at five common mistakes to avoid!
1. Not Washing Hands Before Preparing Food
Many people often overlook the importance of washing their hands before handling food. In reality, dirty hands can contain harmful germs, bacteria, or viruses that can easily transfer to the food being prepared. This can lead to cross-contamination, which increases the risk of food poisoning. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that hands are washed with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, both before starting food preparation and after handling raw ingredients. This simple step is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses.
2. Mixing Raw and Cooked Food
Using the same cutting board or knife for raw chicken and cleaned vegetables can cause cross-contamination. Bacteria from the raw chicken can transfer to the vegetables, and when eaten, it can increase the risk of food poisoning. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that utensils such as cutting boards and knives are used separately for raw and cooked or ready-to-eat foods. This practice is an easy preventive measure to ensure the safety of the food being prepared.
3. Storing Food at the Wrong Temperature
Food stored too long at room temperature can spoil quickly and become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli multiply rapidly when food is kept at temperatures between 5°C and 60°C, which is the optimal temperature range for their growth. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that cooked food is stored in the refrigerator at 4°C or lower to slow bacterial growth. Additionally, hot food stored in the refrigerator should be reheated properly to a sufficient temperature (around 75°C) before being served again, to ensure it is safe and free from bacteria.
4. Ignoring Expiry Dates
Many people often overlook checking expiry dates before using food items. Food that has expired or is nearing its expiry date is at high risk of contamination by bacteria or harmful chemicals that can jeopardize health. Using food past its expiry date also increases the chances of food poisoning. Therefore, always make sure to check the expiry date on the product packaging before purchasing or using it at home. This simple step can help avoid health risks and ensure the food consumed is still safe to enjoy.
5. Reheating Food Multiple Times
Reheating food multiple times not only reduces the quality of taste and texture, but it also increases the risk of harmful bacteria growth. Each time food is reheated, certain parts may not get hot enough, allowing bacteria to survive and multiply. Therefore, ensure that food is reheated only once to a sufficient temperature (around 75°C or higher) to ensure food safety. Also, make sure that the entire portion of the food is thoroughly heated before eating to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
