Food plays an important role in our daily lives. While healthy and nutritious foods promote overall health, unhealthy foods lead to a number of diseases. To mark the importance of healthy food practices, World Food Safety Day is celebrated on 7 June every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the day is marked to “draw attention and mobilize action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne hazards and improve human health.” .” This year, the theme of World Food Safety Day is “Safer Food, Better Health”, announced WHO. An official statement reads that the campaign highlights the need for a holistic approach to the food system for better health in a sustainable way, in order to prevent foodborne illnesses.
WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage / Healthier People, Dr. Naoko Yamamoto, added that it is important to prioritize food safety for all to live healthy and more productive. This will also help reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
Considering this, we have curated a list that explains some common safe food practices. These tips on healthy food practices have been suggested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Watch.
Here are 4 safe and healthy food practices for you:
1. Raw food is always clean:
Cleaning food before consumption is one of the most basic food practices that we must follow. Whether fruit or vegetable, wash it thoroughly before cooking or eating it raw. It is even suggested to wash the lids of packaged foods before opening and using them.
2. Keep Raw Food Separate:
One should always keep meat, eggs, seafood, fish, etc. with other foods. In fact, even when cutting these foods, we should use a separate cutting board.
3. Cook good food:
Raw foods, especially meat, should be cooked thoroughly. Thorough cooking helps kill unhealthy bacteria, making food safe to consume.
4. Proper cooling:
Whether it’s raw or cooked food, it’s very important to keep it well refrigerated. While cooked food should always be stored with a lid on, raw food should be kept separate. While meat and fish should be kept in the freezer, vegetables and fruits should be stored properly in the vegetable storage section. This will keep the food fresh for a longer time.
Now that you are aware of these safe food practices, follow them strictly and enjoy healthy eating habits.
