The importance of food safety
Why is food safety important and why should we be careful when buying and making foods? The contaminated food they transmit to humans and animals is an existing crisis that is happening all over the world. Food-borne diseases caused by neglected food safety precautions leaves many people sick, ill, and seriously malnourished. Financial consequences restrictions from bacteria in food are disastrously decreasing the value of livestock, crops and many other items that people consume. This also causes an increase of costs for medical treatments for those who become infected. It also influences disability or death of the main wage earner from food poisoning as the living conditions of the primary wage earners family are decreased. Here are some tips to keep a look out for when it comes to food safety. There have been instances of contamination being found in food being bought and consumed. One of the most recent occurrences involved a company where alfalfa was tainted with salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium found in water, birds, and livestock. The common symptoms of food poisoning in salmonella cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. But this disease can cause fatalities in infants and the elderly. Although it can be treated if it’s properly cared for. Salmonella is one of the most common diseases found in food today.
Taking the necessary precautions
Food safety involves using measures in preparation, handling, and storing of food to avoid food from being contaminated. As most food has the potential of contriving bacterial influx, you should be aware of the proper methods for preserving food if you are going to keep perishables for a few days with the intention of eating them. Plastic containers should be used to keep food protected as most bacteria are airborne and kept refrigerated or in the freezer. In places like restaurants where food is being prepared and has physical contact with the preparer should always be disinfected before using. Food utensils should also be sanitized before use as well. Bacteria like salmonella like any food reside and will proliferate on the surface of just one small piece of crumb.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are highly vulnerable to contamination because of a process is known as microbial degradation of pectin. This material is used to maintain the ripeness and firmness of fruits and vegetables. Experts have shown that about 20% of fruits and vegetables are spoiled and are inedible due to micro-fungal infection. You can prevent spoilage by always keeping them tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. You should also wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. This will help prevent an accident of food poisoning from happening. There are five rules of keeping food safe to eat. According to WHO? (World Health Organization), you should do the following:
- Use clean water
- Store food at the proper temperature
- Be sure you cook foods at the appropriate amount of time as this will help prevent any bacteria within the food
- Separate the raw foods, so the cooked foods don’t become contaminated
- Prevent pathogenic contamination of food with germs that could be transmitted from people and animals to the food being prepared or eaten.
When going grocery shopping always looks for the expiration date on food packages and ensure the date has passed the present date. Also, be aware no law prohibits the selling of foods due to expired dates with the only exception being baby food and formula. Even though food has an expiration date, the consumer is the one who decides whether they want to buy the food or not. Government and food industries need to discuss food safety of the contamination of food is to be eliminated.
