Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : April 6, 2015 6:47 PM IST
April 7 is World Health Day and this year s theme is Food Safety.
Even a simple mistake in handling food and storage might put you at risk of various health complications. One of the most common mistakes is not washing your hands before cooking or after handling raw food, which in turn puts you at an increased risk of food contamination and food bourne illnesses. While you might think you follow healthy food practices, there might be some common mistakes that you unknowingly practise. So, to help you out, here are some of the most common myths about food storage and handling you should be aware of.
Myth 1: It's not necessary to wash fruits and vegetables if I peel them
Fact: Like many people, if you feel the same then you are unknowingly increasing your risk of health complications. There is a high possibility that the bacteria or chemicals present on the skin or peel of the fruit or vegetables you peel might transfer to the peeled/cut surface. Whether you plan to peel a fruit or vegetable or not, you should always wash them with clean running water before cutting/consuming.
Myth 2:There is no need to worry about bacteria, once the food has been cooked
Fact: In reality, there is a high chance of bacterial growth after your food has been cooked. The decrease in temperature kick starts the bacterial growth process that in turn increases the risk of food contamination. This is why it is important to cook and store food at the right temperature to ensure food safety. Here are 6 ways to store your cold cuts the right way.
Myth 3:Using more bleach to clean your kitchen is always a good idea
Fact: Do you feel the same? If yes, you are wrong. According to experts, there is no added advantage of using more bleach to clean your kitchen surface. Instead, add a spoonful of detergent to one-fourth bucket of water and clean your kitchen with this solution. Do this every day after you are done with your food preparations or at night to ensure your cooking surfaces are clean.
Myth 4: Food has to be cooled before putting it in the refrigerator
Fact: Perishable foods must be kept in the fridge immediately or within two hours of buying them as the chances of contamination of these foods is high. Also, if kept out for long hours to cool, the chance of bacterial growth on these products is high, thus spoiling them. Apart from this, thaw your food in the refrigerator/under cold water/microwave and not on the counter to avoid food contamination. Here is why you should consume packaged foods before they reach their expiry date.
Myth 5:Storing food in plastic containers doesn t cause any health risk
Fact: The commonly used plastic containers contain harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and glyme, which are known to cause many health complications. So, avoid using plastic containers that contain harmful chemicals. Also, wash these containers in hot water to remove oil stains that are not easy to clean with detergent and water. If possible, replace plastic containers with glass containers for better food safety.
Myth 6:Food stored in the refrigerator or cooked in microwave is healthy to eat
Fact: While almost every food can be stored in the fridge, it doesn t offer complete protection against bacterial growth. Freezing ensures there is limited growth of bacteria in raw food, and once cooked, the shelf life (period between which the food is safe to eat) is reduced drastically, even if stored in the fridge. Alternatively, cooking in a microwave oven is not a healthy option due to the radiations generated.
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