Is your home cooked food safe? Follow WHO’s ‘golden rules’ for consuming cooked food

0
With climatic changes getting erratic, several interventions in lifestyle, it is crucial to focus on diet. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining good health by providing essential nutrients that support bodily functions, boost immunity, and promote overall well-being.
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.Proper nutrition also enhances mental health, energy levels, and cognitive function. Hydration and moderation in food intake are equally important. By making informed dietary choices, individuals can achieve a healthy weight, improve their mood, and sustain long-term health, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
The big question is: How to consume food safely?
A report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the golden rules of consuming cooked food.
Even home cooked food comes with potential health risks.
The WHO says the common errors with food handling are:

  • preparation of food several hours prior to consumption, combined with its storage at temperatures which favour growth of pathogenic bacteria and/or formation of toxins;
  • insufficient cooking or reheating of food to reduce or eliminate pathogens;
  • cross contamination; and
  • people with poor personal hygiene handling the food.

Here are the golden rules of WHO for safe food consumption:
1. Choose foods processed for safety
2. Cook food thoroughly
3. Eat cooked foods immediately
4. Store cooked foods carefully
5. Reheat cooked foods thoroughly
6. Avoid contact between raw foods and cooked foods
7. Wash hands repeatedly
8. Keep all kitchen surfaces meticulously clean
9. Protect foods from insects, rodents, and other animal
10. Use safe water