Tips To Safer Food

TIPS TO SAFER FOOD

Good hygiene practices can contribute towards preventing food poisoning.  Every one must take part in ensuring food safety by following simple safety practices :

• Buy food from a clean and reputable shop.  Do not buy chilled food that is displayed at room temperature.
• Read labels carefully. Do not buy food beyond expiry date.
• Select fresh and wholesome foods.  Do not choose dented, bolted, blown or rusty canned food.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before handling and preparing food and after using the toilet.
• Wash and sanitize all surface and equipment used for food preparation.
• Wash dish clothes and towels frequently or use disposable towels.
• Keep your kitchen clean and protect from insects, pets and other animals.
• Keep raw food separately from cooked foods.
• Wash knives and chopping boards between uses.
• Use separate chopping boards for raw and cooked food.
• Store food in covered containers to prevents cross contamination between raw and cooked food.

• When cooking meat and poultry, make sure it is well-cooked and not pink.
• Cook them at higher temperature.
• If food requires reheating, cooked it thoroughly.
• Hot food should be served hot,cold food should be served cold.
• Keep cooked food piping hot prior to serving.
• Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable food.
• Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for mor than 2 hours.
• Do not store food too long even in the refrigerator.
• Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature.
• Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, or use the microwave oven.
• Do not leave marinated food at room temperature.
• Keep them in a covered bowl in the refrigerator.