Practicing food safety is of the upmost importance to ensure that you are providing your family, with good-quality, nutritious foods that are safe to eat.
To reduce the risk of food-bourne illnesses and spoiling, safe food handling procedures must be observed from farm to fork. Many people forget that food safety does not end once you have purchased your food, and that your food preparation and storage procedures at home also have a role to play.
The World Health Organisation has compiled a summary of Five Keys to Safer Food, and it’s always good to brush up on these important tips!
Keep clean
• Wash your hands before handling food and often during food preparation
• Wash your hands after going to the toilet
• Wash and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used for food preparation
• Protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals
Separate raw and cooked
• Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods
• Use separate equipment and utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handling raw foods
• Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods
Cook thoroughly
• Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood
• Bring foods like soups and stews to boiling to make sure that they have reached 70 degrees Celsius. Food meat and poultry, make sure that juices are clear, not pink. Ideally, use a thermometer
• Reheat cooked food thoroughly
Keep food at safe temperatures
• Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours
• Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable food (preferable below 5 degrees Celsius)
• Keep cooked food piping hot (more than 60 degrees Celsius) before serving
• Do not store food too long, even in the fridge
• Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature – thaw it in the fridge
Use safe water and raw materials
• Use safe water, or treat it to make it safe
• Select fresh and wholesome foods
• Choose food processed for safety, like pasteurized milk
• Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if they are to be eaten raw
• Do not use food beyond its expiry date
You might also want to read this article on what processed foods are and if you should be eating them.
Did you know?
Pick n Pay is committed to promoting health and wellbeing among South Africans, and employs a Registered Dietitian to provide free nutrition-related advice to the public. Contact Leanne Kiezer via the Pick n Pay Health Hotline on 0800 11 22 88 or healthhotline@pnp.co.za to start your nutrition conversation.
You can also visit www.adsa.org.za to find a dietitian in your area who is registered with the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA).