**Avoid Food Poisoning: Tips to Keep Your Meals Safe**
If you’ve never had food poisoning, consider yourself lucky. It feels awful and can sideline you for days, affecting both your home and work life. But it doesn’t have to happen. By avoiding contaminated food, you can stay in the clear. Let’s go over some essential tips to help you keep food poisoning at bay.
**Wash Your Hands**
You’d think it’s obvious, but not everyone washes their hands before handling food. This goes for people at home and sometimes even in restaurants. Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before cooking.
**Keep Your Kitchen Clean**
While it might be tempting to relax in front of the TV after a meal, it’s crucial to keep your kitchen clean. This means thoroughly cleaning your utensils too. Don’t just rinse them; give them a good scrub to ensure they’re spotless.
**Use Separate Cutting Boards**
When prepping food, always use two separate cutting boards: one for raw foods and one for cooked foods. This helps prevent cross-contamination. The same rule applies to the knives you use.
**Wash Fruits and Vegetables**
Before using any fruits or vegetables, wash them thoroughly under the tap. These items often come straight from fields to supermarkets, carrying dirt and other contaminants. If you haven’t been doing this, start now.
**Defrost Food Properly**
If you need to use something from the freezer, take it out the night before to let it defrost completely. Trying to cook something that’s still partially frozen isn’t safe and can leave you hungry.
**Keep an Eye on Pets**
Pets can be attracted to food left out on counters. While dogs usually stay on the ground, cats can easily jump up and sample your ingredients. Remember, you don’t know where their mouths have been, so keep food out of their reach.
**Cook Food Thoroughly**
Don’t cut corners by eating undercooked food. While rare steak might be a preference, you should never undercook chicken or other poultry. Always ensure your food is cooked all the way through.
**Organize Your Fridge**
When putting away groceries, store raw and cooked foods separately. It sounds like common sense, but many people don’t do it. Proper organization can prevent cross-contamination.
**Throw Out Spoiled Food**
We’ve all encountered food in the fridge that smells off. If it smells bad, throw it away. Don’t risk cooking and eating it. If it smells like it’s been left out too long, it probably has.
**Check Expiration Dates**
Always check the expiration dates on your food. These dates are there to prevent you from getting sick. If a product is past its date, don’t eat it. It’s not worth the risk.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of food poisoning and keep yourself healthy. Stay mindful and safe in the kitchen!