Food Safety Hygiene Rules
As food-borne illnesses threaten the health of people who consume food that was processed unsafely, more consumers take note of food safety. Whether handled improperly during shipping or simply not cooked thoroughly, unsafe foods can cause serious health problems. You can follow a number of rules in order to ensure that the food you and your family eat is safe and healthful.
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Wash Food
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It's important to wash all fruits and vegetables before serving them raw. Even food that has been pre-washed may be unsafe if it carried with meats or other contaminated foods between the market and home. Wash food thoroughly with soapy water and allow it to air dry rather than using a dish cloth to dry it more quickly, as this can also spread contaminants.
Wash Your Hands
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As you cook, wash your hands in warm, soapy water between tasks. This reduces the risk of cross contamination, which occurs when you handle potentially contaminated foods and then spread the germs to clean foods. Keeping a sink full of soapy water makes it easier to wash your hands frequently and can also assist with clean-up.
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Cooking Temperature
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Cook all meats to their specified cooking temperature as listed on the package. According to What's Cooking America, you should keep all meat at 140 degrees Fahrenheit until it's ready to serve, and never leave cooked foods to stand at room temperature for a significant length of time. When thawing meat, place the package in a bowl in the refrigerator rather than leaving it at room temperature.
Storage Temperature
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It's also important to keep perishable foods sufficiently cold to prevent the spread of food-borne illness. Keep your refrigerator temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and promptly refrigerate all foods that need to be kept cool after serving or opening. To store cooked food that is still hot, place it in a shallow dish in the refrigerator. Do not cool foods by leaving them at room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator, as this can promote the growth of bacteria.
Discard Tainted Food
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Discard any food that develops an unusual color or odor promptly. Remove it from the kitchen if possible to prevent it from coming into contact with other food or the food preparation or service areas.
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References
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- Photo Credit contents of fridge image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
