World Health Day 2015
Today is World Health Day, a World Health Organisation initiative that highlights public safety issues each year.
Over 200 diseases are caused by unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemical substances, and 2 million people die every year as a result of consuming contaminated food and drinking water1, so this year the campaign focuses on food safety.
There are several precautionary steps you can take at home to defend yourself and your family against contamination.
1. Regularly wash your hands, sanitise surfaces and food preparation equipment, and protect your kitchen from insects.
Dangerous microorganisms are widely found in soil, water, animals and people. These microorganisms are carried on hands, wiping cloths and utensils, especially chopping boards, and the slightest contact can transfer them to your food – so wash everything regularly to avoid foodborne diseases.
2. Separate raw and cooked foods at all times and use designated chopping boards and preparation equipment for each.
Raw food, especially meat, poultry and seafood, can contain dangerous microorganisms. Stop them transferring onto other foods by using separate cooking and storage equipment.
3. Cook thoroughly.
Adequate cooking kills almost all dangerous microorganisms. For most foods this requires heating to a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius to ensure it is safe for consumption.
4. Keep food at a safe temperature.
Microorganisms multiply extremely quickly if food is stored at room temperature but the rate of growth is slowed down if food is held at a temperature between 5 and 60 degrees Celsius. This is why it’s important to serve food when it is piping hot and why all perishable foods must be promptly refrigerated.
5. Use safe water and raw materials.
Raw materials, including ice and water, can be contaminated with harmful microorganisms and chemicals, thus it’s essential to have your plumbing systems maintained by a professional plumbing company that can ensure the wastewater and fresh water supplies are properly aligned.
Also, it’s important to take care when selecting raw materials as toxic chemicals may form in mouldy foods. Simple measures such as washing and peeling fruits and vegetables can help to reduce this risk.
The official hashtag for World Health Day 2015 is #safefood, so if you have any more health and safety tips, get tweeting now.