Beware! Food can make you sick if it is spoiled or contaminated.
Avoid buying food that is not fit to be eaten.
To keep the food you grow, prepare and store in a clean area free from dangerous and chemicals.
Practise good personal hygiene and good kitchen hygiene to prevent the spread of germs by those handling food.
To prevent foods from spoiling, you must:
Buy small quantities of perishables if you do not have a refrigerator or other appropriate ways to store the extra food.
Cook enough food for one meal only, if you cannot store the leftovers properly.
Eat food immediately after cooking.
Cover leftovers, store them in the refrigerator and use them quickly.
Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
Remember that when you go shopping, you should pick up perishable and frozen foods last.
Put away perishable and frozen foods in the refrigerator as soon as you get home after shopping.
Keep clean! Wash your hands with soap and water:
After using the toilet
After any cleanup operation
After blowing your nose
(or)
After handling raw animal foods or dirty surfaces.
Select good quality food. The food you select:
Should be clean and have a good smell and colour.
Should be free of insect, rat or mouse bites, moulds and bruises.
Should not be shrivelled or limp.
Should not be purchased
or used if they are in cans that are dented, swollen, rusty or unlabelled.
Ensure that eggshells are whole, not cracked (and)
Avoid buying or using any food that has a musty odour or is off-colour. That may be a sign that harmful substances are building up in the food.
Prepare clean food. This means that you must:
Use clean water to wash dishes, to make ice and to
prepare drink and other foods.
Wash fruits and vegetables which will be eaten raw preferably under running water.
Use soap and water or diluted bleach to scrub the boards, surfaces and utensils with which raw meat and fish come into contact.
Cut bread, vegetables or other food which will not be cooked, on different boards from those used for raw meats.
Keep your kitchen and cooking utensils clean and tidy.
Keep pets out of food preparation and eating areas.
Follow these tips for keeping food clean:
Wash hands carefully before handling all foods.
Bandage all cuts and sores on hands or fingers
Do not allow contact between raw meat and cooked meat.
Wash utensils before using and if they come in contact with raw meat.
Put ready-to-eat meat, chicken, vegetables, cheese, milk and bread in clean containers and on clean working surfaces.
Do not cut bread or other food which is not cooked on the same board used for preparing raw meats.
Wash utensils well after eating.
Wash fruits well before eating or using in recipes.
Keep pets out of the kitchen and dining areas.
Source: The Ministry of Health
