New Delhi: June 7, 2020 marks the second year of observing World Food Safety Day.
The brainchild of World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the idea is to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
The theme of the inaugural year was ‘Future of Food Safety’, while this year it’s ‘Food Security, Everyone’s Business.’
Since the world is suffering from a pandemic after 100 years, maintaining food safety at home becomes paramount.
Here’s a quick guide to maintaining food safety at home amidst the COVID-19 outbreak:
1. Wash your hands before and after cooking for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water. Also, wash your hands during cooking if handling raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.
2. Make sure to regularly wash cutting boards, utensils, countertops and dishes after use with warm, soapy water.
3. Rinse fresh produce with running water or use a clean brush.
4. People are falling prey to the false belief that soaking freshly bought raw food in little detergent can prevent COVID-19: it is not recommended to use soap or diluted bleach as these substances may cause an upset stomach. If the product is labelled “pre-washed” you do not have to wash it again.
5. With canned goods, rinse the lid before opening to prevent dirt or other contaminants on the outside of the can from getting on the food.
6. Use separate cutting boards for fresh produce and raw meats, poultry, and fish.
7. Make sure to re-heat/microwave takeaway or home delivered food before consumption.
8. Also, wash hands with soap after unpacking takeaway and home delivered food before actually touching the eatable.
Though no scientific research yet proves that coronavirus travels through food, but safety measures should be undertaken.
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