According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 10 people fall ill every year from eating contaminated food, with 420,000 deaths occurring as a […]
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 10 people fall ill every year from eating contaminated food, with 420,000 deaths occurring as a result.
Food safety is extremely important towards preventing good foodborne illnesses, however, there are a few dangerous mistakes that many of us are still making. Here are a few to avoid:
#1 Not washing your hands (or washing them incorrectly)
While this should be common sense, many people do not wash their hands enough— or correctly— while preparing their food. Remember, you need 20 seconds of scrubbing with soap and water to truly have ‘clean’ hands.
#2 Not replacing sponges and dishrags (or not replacing them enough)
According to EatRight, sponges and dishrags are some of the dirtiest items in household kitchens. They are a breeding ground for bacteria, which can ultimately pose a serious health risk. Sanitize your sponge and dishrags at least every other day, replacing completely after a week or two.
#3 Tasting food to see if it’s still good
When you taste food to see if it’s still good, what happens if it’s not? You’ve already ingested it, and it only takes a small amount of contaminated food to make somebody sick. Additionally, the bacteria that causes food poisoning cannot be tasted, seen, or smelled, so when it comes to a taste-test, don’t even bother.
#4 Washing meat and poultry
It is totally unnecessary to wash meat and poultry. In fact, the splashing water can spread dangerous bacteria to sinks, countertops, and other surfaces, ultimately doing more harm than good. Wash the veggies, skip the meat.