The Importance Of Food Poisoning

How does food get to your plate? Do you mind finding out how it is stored, handled and prepared? According to a survey in Food Standards Agency in UK, around 5.5 million people in the UK suffer from food poisoning each year and, among these, 4.2 million believe that their illness was caused by food eaten outside their home. Food poisoning is a serious health problem. It can cause severe illness and even death. That’s why we should care to choose wisely what we eat. Most fruits and vegetables that are bought in supermarkets are often sprayed with pesticides and preservatives that are harmful to our body. It endangers our lives although it does not cause instant death. What more if it is not stored, handled, and cooked properly? To prevent

Some food need to be kept in the fridge to help stop bacteria growing. Despite all that, some germs/bacteria can still grow at cold temperature. Raw meat and poultry should be in covered containers at the coldest part of the fridge to slow down the bacteria from growing. Otherwise, it will rot in mere hours. Food should always be stored in clean non-toxic washable containers with a tight fitting lid or be covered with foil or plastic film. Fruit and vegetables should be handled carefully to avoid bruising and breaking the skin that will damage deterioration and rotting. Vegetables in plastic bags do not wilt nearly so rapidly as those stored openly in the refrigerator. Spoiled ingredients should be discarded immediately. Always store cooked food separately from raw food, especially raw meats, poultry and fish. Likewise, check all the labels and their expiry dates. When the expiration date has passed it must be thrown or discarded. Even if it still look and smells good. Ensure that all food is covered or sealed. Watch out for canned goods that has been dented because for sure the temperature inside must have been changed. Supervisor Proper storage of food reduces the risk of food

Even healthy people can spread bacteria onto food by touching it with their hands. Good personal hygiene is essential when handling food to ensure that food is not contaminated with food poisoning bacteria or other matter such as foreign objects or chemicals. Good personal habits is needed also such as not eating, sneezing, coughing, spitting and smoking around food or food surfaces. Nails should be kept short and does not have nail polish as it can chip into the food. Thoroughly wash and dry hands before handling food, and wash and dry them again frequently during work. Clean towels, disposable paper towels or an air dryer should be used when drying hands. Never use your clothes. A clean protective clothing, such as an apron and hairnet is a must when handling food. In addition to, any food handler with symptoms or a diagnosis of an illness must not handle food to prevent contaminating food that they are preparing. If you have cuts or wounds, make sure they are completely covered by a waterproof wound strip or a bandage. Use brightly colored wound strips, so they can be seen easily if they fall off. Don’t handle raw meats then carry out other tasks such as handling cooked foods, and preparing salads and fruits without washing hands or changing