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How to keep food safe and bacteria-free

Recent research into public health indicates that the amount of harmful bacteria in our food is up by as much as five fold, compared to 1942. Food safety specialists however say that this does not indicate that the food we consume is unsafe – but that it points towards the advancement of technology which is now able to detect far more micro organisms than was possible in 1942. Anyways, here are a few tips on how to keep your food safe:

• Keep your kitchen clean – wash your hands well you handle and cooked or raw food, and also before and after consuming any kind of food.
• When purchasing food always check for the expiry dates.
• Buy fruit and vegetables that are not bruised
• Always put foods that need to be refrigerated into the fridge as soon as possible.
• Clean your refrigerator on a regular basis. Throw out old and outdated food items.
• Staple food items must be stored away in a cool, dry place. Always use the older food items first.
• Steer clear of cross contamination.
• Always wash all fruit and vegetables well.
• While eating certain uncooked foods and raw cookie dough might be tempting, avoid it at all costs.
• Always ensure you have cooked food thoroughly. You should purchase a food thermometer. With this you can check the end point temperature, which is a good indicator of whether the food is cooked completely.
• Hot foods should be kept hot and the same applies to cold food as well.
• Leftovers must be stored in the refrigerator right away. Ensure that you wrap them up well.
• Once you finish in the kitchen, clean it thoroughly. Leaving dirty dishes lying around will only attract bacteria which are harmful to your health.