Food poisoning can happen to anyone, anytime. It can be an unpleasant experience and cause a lot of discomfort to you. It can lead to various health problems and in severe cases may even cause death of the person. It’s a general notion that food poisoning is caused due to consumption of foods in eateries, hotels, restaurants and fast food joints. But the truth is that it can happen even by eating home made stuff if proper precautions are not taken while preparing the foods. So, it’s very necessary to prevent food poisoning in order to stay healthy and free from any ailment. Read on to learn how easily you can keep yourself away from food poisoning.
Complexity Level: Basic
Resources Required:
- Concentration
- Non-contaminated food items
- Pure water
Instructions:
1. Wash hands properly
Before cooking foods you need to wash your hands properly with soap and water. It is very important to wash hands if you have used the toilet. Also, clean your hands after handling other waste materials in your garden, garage or pets.
2. Clean the worktop before using
Always make it a habit to clean the worktop before and after using it. Try to keep the area clean and dry or dirt and other debris could settle down on the surface and contaminate the food items you are going to cook. Use clean and dry towels and mittens.
3. Use separate chopping boards
If you are used to cooking both meat and vegetables at home it is ideal to use separate chopping boards for both. The meat may contain certain harmful bacteria that may easily spread to other items. So, use properly cleaned and dried chopping boards.
4. Store raw meat separately
If you have prepared raw vegetables or salad for consuming, store it away from raw meat. Raw meat may contain a lot of harmful organisms. They may contaminate the vegetables easily. Since the vegetables will not be cooked before eating, you have to store them very carefully away from the meat to prevent contamination.
5. Check expiry date on labels
When you are buying food materials, ingredients and other packaged foods from the market always check the label for the expiry date. Do not buy items which are past the date. They may cause food poisoning and other health problems. Buy fresh items whose dates have not been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What will happen if the foods are not cooked properly?
Always ensure that you cook all the foods properly. If you do not cook them well, the harmful bacteria and other organisms may not be destroyed. They may enter your stomach through the foods and cause a lot of discomfort. For appropriate cooking times, you can refer to the internet or to other cook books that will tell you the right period of time to cook each kind of food.
2. Is reheating of foods dangerous?
Leftover foods can be dangerous if they are spoilt. If they are not heated well, they can still contain some amount of pathogens. So, do not use leftover foods if there are signs of slimness, discoloration, mold growth etc. You have to discard them immediately. Never keep the leftover food items for long.
Quick Tips:
- The type of storage depends on the type of foods you have.
- Store different kinds of foods in separate containers or packs.
- Fish, meat, eggs, dairy products and leftovers should be refrigerated.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Remember to protect your food items from animals and insects, especially while serving.
- Food contamination is faster during summer. So, take extra care of the food materials and store them quickly in the refrigerator.
- Wash your hands well before eating.
- If you feel something wrong with the smell or taste of the foods do not eat them.