Hygiene & Safety

This is your introduction to food safety and hygiene. We all need food to live and it is important that this food doesn't make us ill. To prepare and supply food which is safe needs careful hygiene. this avoids food poisoning, wastage of food and time as well.

This article tell you what to do at each step in food handling from shopping through storing leftover-to avoid food poisoning.

Because of the right temperature, bacteria you can't see, smell or taste can multiply to the millions in a few short hours. In large numbers, they cause illness. Millions of people get sick with this every year. Some 85 percent of cases could be avoided if people just handled food properly.

Food-borne disease are carried by contaminated food or water. Even a small number of bacteria can make you ill.

If you are working food, it is essential that you keep yourself clean and wear, clean protective clothing. It is important to have high standards of personal hygiene when working food.

People carry bacteria in their hair, ears, nose, throat, intestines and skin, particularly hands. Coughing, sneezing and spitting pass on bacteria. Scratching spots will spread harmful microbes.

The term "food hygiene" is used to describe the preservation and preparation of food in a manner that ensures the food is safe for human consumption.

This term typically refers to these practices at an individual or family level, whereas the term "food sanitation" usually refers to these types of procedures at the commercial level within the food industry, such as during production and packing or at stores or restaurants.

Food hygiene in the home kitchen includes things such as the proper storage of food before use, washing one's hands before handling food, maintaining a clean environment when preparing food and making sure that all serving dishes are clean and free of contaminants.

Preparation Areas

Food hygiene also includes keeping preparation areas clean and germ-free. Mixing bowls, spoons, paring knives and any other tools used in the kitchen should be washed thoroughly before they are used, as well as after. Kitchen counter tops and cutting boards also should be cleaned and sterilized from time to time. Keeping the work space is sanitary decreases the chance that food will be contaminated and make people sick.

After Preparation

Food that has been cooked or prepared is often safe to eat for only a few hours. After that time, the food should be refrigerated or thrown away. If food is left out for too long, bacteria could begin to grow on it. Consuming spoiled or contaminated food could result in food poisoning or other illness.