Food hygiene and food safety

Food hygiene and food safety

Food hygiene and food safety refer to proper handling of foods during transportation, preparation, and storage stage to minimize the instances of food poisoning and food contamination. Different people have different ideologies on the issue of food safety, with a more significant percentage practicing food safety measures such as hand washing, washing fruits, and throwing away leftovers. However, some people do not believe in the maintenance of food hygiene, a situation that is influenced by cultural practices and environmental factors. Nevertheless, maintaining food hygiene is essential as it will aid a lot in curbing foodborne diseases.

Hand washing while taking meals and during meals, preparation is essential in curbing contamination of food by the handlers. Many foodborne disease-causing organisms, such as Salmonella, are transmitted through hands. Therefore failure to wash hands leads to approximately 50% of deaths that are caused by diarrhea-related diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Therefore, hand washing plays a crucial role in enhancing food safety and hygiene.

Washing fruits and vegetables with clean running water also wash away pathogens such as E Coli and Listeria. Fewer cases of foodborne diseases were reported in homesteads that ensure their fruits are well coated by holding fruit on running water from 10-20 seconds. Therefore, washing fruits appropriately contributes to food safety and hygiene.

Also, throwing away leftovers aids in reducing the probability of consuming food infected with disease microorganisms. Food stored in room temperatures between 400 F and 1400F tends to go rancid quickly; hence their consumption may be harmful. Thus, throwing away leftovers is essential in enhancing food safety and hygiene.

On the contrary, some people hold strong beliefs regarding throwing away food as it results in food wastage, which is currently at an average of 25% in every country. Some cultural and religious beliefs also actively prohibit food wastage. Therefore, sometimes people consume spoilt food to prevent wastage hence putting aside the principles of food hygiene and safety.

Environmental factors such as lack of sufficient waters as a result of famine, especially in developing countries, make people not observe hygienic practices. 11% of the world’s total population lack access to safe and adequate water. Thus, lack of water may make individuals consume fruits and vegetables that are not washed hence jeopardizing health and hygiene.

In conclusion, though a more significant percentage practices food safety measures such as washing hands, fruits and vegetables, and throwing leftover food, a considerable number do not do so. This is due to beliefs and environmental factors. As evidence, there is a huge benefit of maintaining food safety and hygiene. Therefore, enhancing food safety is essential as it reduces deaths as a result of foodborne diseases by 50%.