Steps To Food Safety

Most people do not think twice about the safety of the food they are eating. However, there are simple steps that everyone can take to ensure that their food is safe. Here are a few tips for keeping your food safe. A clean kitchen is essential to maintaining a safe environment, and it is just as important to keep your tools clean and free of contaminants. While cleaning equipment, always remember to wear gloves and ensure that surfaces have been adequately cleaned before touching them again. Do not wash any equipment until after use, and ensure items are thoroughly rinsed off before storage. Sanitize by washing with hot water and soap.

Avoiding raw meat, poultry and seafood is the most effective way to prevent contamination in your food. If you cannot cook it, do not buy it. This will help reduce the risk of becoming ill from eating contaminated raw foods. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meats, poultry, and seafood to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen and while preparing other foods. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water and dry completely with paper towels. Make sure you wash your fingernails as well; do not cut them down to the quick. If you cannot find soap, try using hand sanitizer instead.

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Make sure you use only stainless steel knives, forks, spoons, and cutting boards to prepare food. Never use wooden cutting boards, plastic, metal utensils, or non-stick pans for cooking. You should also avoid using dirty dishes or bowls. Please keep them in a separate area, preferably washed and dried immediately after use. Foods cooked should be kept at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth that could lead to illness. Store leftovers in sealed containers and refrigerate promptly. Use freezer bags to store food safely. When storing food for longer than two days, consider freezing. Frozen foods maintain their nutritional value and taste much better than fresh foods. Frozen food lasts about three years if it is stored correctly.