Food Safety ……and us.

Hello friends, as we know that the safety and hygiene of the food we consume is very much essential for our general well being. To emphasize it’s importance the UN has proclaimed June 7, as World Food Safety Day since 2018.The origin of the current pandemic is said to be the wet market of Wuhan(if we discount the lab theory, the matter gaining a worldwide momentum, nevertheless!), then this gigantic problem inflicted on us, comes under the ambit of food safety concern. According to UN, an estimated 420,000 people are killed by unsafe food every year.

The theme of the day this year is: Safe food today for healthy tomorrow. If people follow the necessary hygiene while cooking the food or eating it raw, a lot of food borne diseases can be prevented. The awareness must be created among the rural households and folks living in precarious conditions in the slum areas of the cities. A lot of health emergencies like diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases could be prevented by effectively following the food safety precautions. Some are:

Raw food and vegetables must be washed thoroughly, if soaked in saline water for a minute, more the better.
Food must be cooked thoroughly to prevent upset tummies and kill the pathogens if present particularly, the undercooked meat cause a lot of diseases.
Raw and cooked food must be kept separately to prevent the transmission of toxic things from the raw to cooked food.
Clean water must be used for cooking, to prevent waterborne diseases.
Food should be kept at safe temperature to avoid it’s turning stale.
Leftover food should not be kept for a prolonged period of time, dispose it off from time to time( if possible run a daily audit of the fridge)
Use fresh food products instead of opting for more convenient canned one. The preservatives are not good for our health.
Avoid the takeaway food or eating out, you never know under what condition they are cooked.
Try to incorporate healthy oils and home grounded spices while cooking food.

Friends, the food is the best gift of God after air and water. We must be extra careful while consuming it which would keep us safe and healthy.

Wish you all health and happiness! Eat safe and nutritious food!!