Keeping food germ free
By Oluwatoyin Oluwastoyin
Friday,
November 30, 2007
As Christmas approaches, APETIT seeks to remind readers to
be cautious during meal preparations as extra care needs to
be taken to avoid food-borne diseases at this time.
In addition, the numerous socials at this time could lead
to food borne epidemics, if caution is not taken.
Thus:
• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom
or changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food
• Handle raw meat and poultry with care. Raw meat and
poultry juices should never come in contact with foods to
be eaten raw, such as salad items and fruits.
• Surfaces that contact raw meat such as hands, gloves,
knives or cutting boards should never directly contact foods
to be eaten raw such as salad or fruits.
Gloves should be changed and hands washed after handling raw
meat or poultry.
• Cutting boards, knives, plates and other utensils
that come in contact with raw meat should be cleaned thoroughly
before being used for another purpose.
• Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables under cool
running tap water before eating. This removes any lingering
dirt while also removing or reducing any bacteria or other
substances.
• Certain hearty vegetables such as potatoes and carrots
should be scrubbed with a produce brush if consumers plan
to eat the fibre and nutrient-rich skin. Kindly note that
this is only ideal for produce produced organically.
• Properly store all fresh fruits and vegetables and
make sure to refrigerate fresh-cut items immediately.
Depending on the commodity, hold produce at 45 degrees Fahrenheit
or below and keep refrigerated until just before serving.
Keep refrigerators clean and cold.
• When preparing fruits and vegetables, cut away bruised
or damaged areas.
• Cut or cooked produce items, such as baked potatoes
or vegetable casseroles, should never be left out or held
at room temperature for an extended time period.
Wishing you a germ-free Christmas
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