The tips on food safety

Food is something that everyone enjoys. However, to make sure that enjoyment is not spoiled by things like food poisoning, it is wise to focus on the important matter of food safety. This article describes some food safety tips.

The importance of cleanliness

Food preparation is where things can go awry with regards to the safe handling of foodstuffs. A casual approach can mean that germs can get spread. Some people equate strict attention to hygiene as being overly fussy, when in fact, it is only about being sensible. An important measure of hygiene concerns washing your hands before you begin cooking and at regular intervals, while you are cooking. This is particularly recommended when chopping different types of food for example, poultry and vegetables. Cross contamination can lead to a range of illnesses. It can be avoided if you take the right steps. Using a different chopping board for different foods is a wise investment to make. In this way, you will avoid any confusion during food preparation.

Proper cooking

It is common for some foods to be undercooked, particularly BBQ foods. This is because the user has not understood that food placed on a BBQ requires additional cooking time. If you are cooking outside, it is best to pre-cook beforehand and to finish off to give it that seared flavour. Even when your cooking occurs indoors, the same rules apply. This is particularly true with regards to foods such as fish, pork and poultry. Check recommended cooking times and always make sure that your food is cooked all the way through and is hot. If you are in doubt, cook for longer just to keep on the safe side. Check with a thermapen if you want to know whether the temperature is a safe one. This will mean that you can eat properly, while maintaining peace of mind.

Storage and reheating

When storing food, raw items should always be stored below cooked foods in the refrigerator. Everything should be covered and preferably kept in airtight containers. Although, foods may be served together on a plate, that does not mean that they should be stored together in the refrigerator. Cooked turkey should be kept in a different container to vegetables, for example. It can be easy to lose track of when you put food into the refrigerator. So, think about labelling foods by date. When you choose to reheat foods the day after, make sure that you do so until they are cooked all the way through.