When it comes to food safety, it is important to keep your food hygienic to avoid cross-contamination and the spread of bacteria. While it may not seem like a big deal, incorrectly storing food can lead to poisoning which can have serious side effects.
To avoid getting ill, you must look after your food and follow certain procedures. If you are unsure of how to look after your kitchen or need to brush up, here are some simple steps to follow:
Correct Food Storage
This is essential to ensure there is no contact between the food and the air. You should keep it in a lidded container or covered with plastic wrapping – taking extra care while it is hot.
It is recommended to invest in some good quality food containers that will keep its contents at a constant temperature. This will help your food stay cool and not fluctuate therefore making it safer.
Defrosting
It is recommended to defrost food in a fridge and not use quick fixes like a microwave or leaving it at room temperature. This is because sudden temperature changes can create a growth of bacteria that can lead to illness.
Where possible – a slow defrost will stop the growth and keep the food safe for consumption.
Cross-Contamination
This is one of the easiest ways to create poor food hygiene. You must take care to use different utensils and chopping boards for raw and cooked food to stop the spread of microorganisms.
Different types of food should also be separated, and utensils used for raw meat should not be used on fresh produce. If you do not have the resources, then be sure to wash up between ingredients to avoid getting sick.
Check The Temperature
The temperature of your food directly affects how much bacteria can inhabit it. Your fridge
should run at or below 4c to ensure its contents are safe.
In contrast, food should be served at a temperature of minimum of 70c to avoid getting in the danger zone. When it is between 15c and 55c, bacteria can multiply rapidly, and food can be spoiled quickly.
If you aren’t certain, then investing a cheap thermometer will assist the process.
Cool Food Quickly
Because of the danger zone, it is important to chill your food rapidly and the temperature drop should take no more than two hours. This will increase the shelf life and help avoid the waste of spoiled food.
If your fridge is in good working order then it should be a simple process.
Keep Everything Clean
This is obvious but ensuring your hands are clean and drying them on a clean towel is essential. Keep long hair tied back as a loose strand may have germs on it that will contaminate food.