Whether you’re a foodie or interested in the culinary industry, you should know the basics of food safety. We all eat food, so we should make sure it’s safe too. But where do you start?
Welcome to Food Safety 101!
In this article, you’ll learn about some necessary and adequate food safety practices. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to handle food safely to prevent illness.
Read on for five basic things to know about food safety practices.
1. Foodborne Illness
The purpose of food safety is to prevent foodborne illness. These illnesses are diseases that transmit to humans from food consumption. Unsafe food causes each one.
Food can become unsafe for many reasons, like improper cooking or contamination. Poor personal hygiene is also a common cause.
There are also some FDA regulations in place about food safety. You can learn about them from resources like tracegains.com.
2. Chilled Foods
When learning about food safety guidelines, temperatures are a big topic. That’s because the temperature at which food gets stored is vital to keeping the food safe.
Refrigerated foods should be below 40º F, so check your fridge with a thermometer. Also, check your freezer because frozen foods must be below 0º F.
Freeze any leftover food within 2 hours. If you’re thawing frozen food, only thaw it in the fridge, cold water, or with a microwave.
3. Keep Everything Clean
Cleanliness is one of the biggest takeaways you should have from Food Safety 101. And, if you want a food safety certificate, it’s crucial to understand.
Wash your hands frequently and between different tasks. Use warm water and soap, and lather for at least twenty seconds. You can count or try singing the alphabet to pass the time.
Keep your kitchen area clean, too. Disinfect countertops often and well. Be sure to wash your cutting boards, knives, and utensils thoroughly.
Your cleaning habits don’t have to stop there, though. Ensure your food, like fresh produce, is also clean. Always rinse it with cold water before consumption!
4. Cross-Contamination
Have you heard of cross-contamination? It occurs when harmful bacteria transfer between two things or people. It’s even one of the biggest causes behind some foodborne illnesses.
Prevent it by separating raw meats from all other foods. They often have harmful bacteria and viruses that can get spread around. Don’t worry, though – thorough cooking will kill them.
Proper hygiene and frequent disinfection will also help prevent the spread of bacteria. As you read, always keep everything clean!
5. Handwashing
You’ve read how to wash your hands, but do you know when? Knowing how often to wash your hands will keep food safe during preparation.
If you’re going to handle food, wash your hands after doing any of these:
- Touching your hair or clothes
- Handling cleaning products or chemicals
- Petting an animal
- Using the restroom
- Handling dirty things, like money or contaminated utensils
When in doubt, just wash your hands. It’s always better to be on the safe side!
Remember Food Safety 101
Whether you work with food or prepare it at home, knowing the basics of Food Safety 101 is important. It will keep everyone safe while they enjoy a delicious meal!
Interested in more health articles? Check out some other posts here on our site.
