During summer, maintaining food hygiene can be a challenge as it may cause food borne illness. One must take extra precautions and care to stay in a safe zone. Here are few tips to maintain food hygiene in summer.

Clean fruits and vegetables:

The pesticide residues that remain on surface of fruits and vegetables may harm your health. So, it will be a good idea to soak them in lukewarm water with some salt and vinegar for two hours. And before eating them, wash under running tap water to get rid of any last traces of pesticides.

Maintain hygiene:

Maintaining self hygiene is the first and the foremost thing you must follow. Wash your hands before and after cooking, after washing raw meat, fish and poultry. Dry it with a clean towel. It is good to have habit of wearing apron in the kitchen. Before handling food, make sure that all cooking surfaces are spotlessly clean. Wash all utensils with soap and water. Preferably use a separate chopping board for meat.

Maintain correct temperature:

This is the most significant tip for maintaining food safety during the hot summer months. The temperature of the refrigerator must be maintained at four degree celsius and the freezer at -15 to -18 degree celsius. Store away raw meat and poultry in the freezer compartment.

Safety tips for outdoor picnics:

Usually many prefer to go for picnics with friends and family during summer. But safety is the most important thing that must be considered. Before you begin setting out your picnic feast, make sure hands and surfaces are clean. If you don't have access to running water, simply use a water jug, soap, and paper towels; or consider using disposable wet wipes for cleaning hands.

By Lizitha