How to Avoid Food Poisoning -
8 Essential Tips

1. Cool Food Properly

After cooking and eating, there is often some food left over. It's not advisable to leave leftover food at room temperature for an extended period. To prevent food poisoning, it is critical to cool food promptly. The food should reach +6 degrees Celsius within four hours. Food should not be left at room temperature for more than four hours.

2. Heat Food Carefully

The ideal temperature range for microorganisms that cause food poisoning to proliferate is between +6 degrees Celsius and +60 degrees Celsius. This temperature range can be considered a danger zone, and leaving food in it for an extended period increases the risk of food poisoning. Therefore, most foods should be heated to over +70 degrees Celsius, and meats should be heated to over +75 degrees Celsius when cooking. When reheating food in a microwave, ensure that it is heated uniformly throughout.

3. Use Clean and High-Quality Ingredients in Cooking

When preparing food, make sure that the ingredients you use are clean and of high quality. Not all microbes are visible to the naked eye, so it's essential to always clean all vegetables, especially before use. Also, wash raw, edible roots before and after peeling.

4. Maintain the Cold Chain

Store food at the correct temperatures during all stages of preparation and transportation. If you purchase frozen products on a hot summer day, ensure that they remain cold during the journey home. It's particularly important to ensure that vacuum-sealed and gas-protected packaged fish and meat products stay cold.

5. Maintain Good Hygiene

Remember to wash your hands before cooking and between different cooking stages. Keep your hair secured and avoid touching your face during food preparation.

6. Handle Meat with Extra Care

Always keep raw meat separate from other food items, such as vegetables or ready-made meals. Never taste raw ground meat. Use utensils and cutting boards dedicated to meat handling, and do not use them for other food items. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.

7. Get a Hygiene Passport

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of food poisoning is to acquire expertise in food hygiene, which is proven by obtaining a hygiene passport. The hygiene passport certifies your ability to handle food safely and hygienically. In home kitchens, a hygiene passport can provide knowledge that reduces the risk of food poisoning. In professional kitchens, the situation is different: a hygiene passport is essential for positions that involve handling unpackaged, perishable food items.

8. Reinforce Your Expertise in Hygiene Training