Whether you’re an amateur chef or a seasoned chef, it’s important to learn the do’s and don’ts of storing, preparing, cooking and serving food.
As exciting as it is to think about the different ingredients you will use and the way you will present your dishes to your dinner guests, you cannot ignore the practical matters. Preparing and cooking your food safely is critical to maximizing health and well-being and minimizing the risks of infection and disease.
Below we have discussed some essential food safety tips that you should know before starting or continuing your culinary journey. If you need more help after reading this article, check out the One ReCP blog, where you can discover more about food storage, cooking tips and recipes.
#1. Always wash your hands before preparing and serving food
Although it sounds simple and obvious, many people forget the importance of washing their hands before handling food. Whether you’re chopping and preparing food or serving it in an aesthetically pleasing way, you should do so with clean, germ-free hands.
Washing your hands is a crucial aspect of food safety, and the best part is that it only takes a few seconds! It is especially important to wash your hands when handling raw meat or seafood, as the risk of cross-contamination is high.
Be sure to use warm water and plenty of disinfectant soap to ensure there are no potentially dangerous bacterial or viral particles on your hands before touching food.
#2. Use different cutting boards for different ingredients
Even though most ingredients go in the same pan when you prepare a particular dish, it is important to keep certain ingredients separate during the preparation process. Consider using special cutting boards for chopping and preparing raw meat, vegetarian meat-free options and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
Be sure to disinfect your cookware and kitchen surfaces before placing raw food or cooked ingredients on them. Doing this will ensure that you have a clean area to work with and will prevent disease-causing microorganisms from getting onto your food.
#3. Make sure you cook food to the right temperature
Temperature control is absolutely essential when cooking. Using the correct cooking temperature kills harmful bacteria and prevents foodborne illness.
Each ingredient requires a specific cooking temperature. Figuring out the best temperatures for each raw ingredient can be confusing. However, after you use certain ingredients in your recipes a few times, you will quickly remember the cooking process for each one.
If you’re not sure, you can write down the best cooking temperature for the most common ingredients you use in the kitchen. This makes it easier to remember them correctly and avoid mistakes. Use a thermometer while cooking to make sure your food is the perfect temperature maximum nutrition and tasteand improved safety.
#4. Good cleaning and disinfection
It is imperative to maintain a clean, tidy and germ-free cooking area no matter what type of food you are preparing. Disinfect your kitchen worktop before you start cooking and wipe everything down afterwards.
Create a schedule for regularly cleaning your entire kitchen to minimize the risk of contamination while preparing and cooking food. If possible, choose chemical-free cleaning products that won’t increase your exposure to potential toxins.
#5. Check your cooking equipment regularly
It’s easy to get carried away when you try exciting new recipes weekly. However, you should always remember to check your cookware regularly.
For most equipment, once a month should be sufficient, but it doesn’t hurt to check things more often if you have the time and energy. Regular inspections can help you determine if a device is defective or broken before it becomes a safety risk.
Early diagnosis of technology-related problems often leads to faster and cheaper solutions. If you discover a problem soon after it occurs, you can fix the problem and avoid having to completely replace your device or device.
#6. Learn food health and safety laws
Multiple food safety regulations in the United States were introduced to protect people. Even if you only cook at home and do not serve meals to the public, it is important that you are aware of these regulations so that you can follow them properly.
Some of the many food health and safety laws you should be aware of include:
- The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – this regulation focuses on the prevention of foodborne diseases through preventive controls and inspections.
- The FDA Food Code – this provides model food regulations for various matters, including food storage and sanitation.
- The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) – although primarily aimed at businesses, it still outlines some important regulations surrounding the handling, cooking and storage of raw meat and egg products.
#7. Keep your kitchen organized
Although not directly related to your food preparation and cooking, keeping your kitchen organized is an important aspect of food safety.
A clean and tidy kitchen makes it easier to find the ingredients you need for a recipe and to properly store raw ingredients and cooked foods. It also makes the cooking process more fun and less stressful and reduces the chance of mistakes during cooking.
#8. Learn more about what to do with leftovers
Most people throw away their leftovers or store them in the refrigerator until they feel like eating them. However, if you’re serious about food safety, it’s worth delving a little deeper into the world of leftovers and learning what to do with them.
After cooking, it is best to cool hot dishes as quickly as possible by placing them in the refrigerator. Ideally, your leftovers should be safely refrigerated within an hour of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
In general, you should aim to consume leftovers within three to four days of cooking. Always double-check that your leftovers are free of mold and have not gone bad before eating them. Avoid leftovers that smell funky or sour!
Reference By: fandbrecipes.com
