The kitchen is one of the busiest spots in the house. It is a place which is most of the time occupied for activity right from cleaning to cooking. Apart from this, a kitchen is a place where you store vegetables, spices, and other ingredients. Hence, it is paramount to understand the role of kitchen hygiene in the well-being of health.

 

• What is Kitchen Hygiene

 

 

You may think that your kitchen is clean because it looks spotless. However, the surface which looks clean may contain harmful bacteria. Kitchen hygiene ensures that such disease-causing micro-organisms are at bay.

 

• Importance of maintaining personal hygiene in the kitchen  

 

 

You may have noticed that people if want to check the quality of restaurants they look first in the kitchen. In households, it is mandatory to follow kitchen hygiene rules. 

 

Safety and hygienic practices in the kitchen  

 

• Keep Your Kitchen Clean  

 

 

It may sound too basic but the first thing towards safety and hygiene in the kitchen is to keep it clean. You should clean storage containers may be at least once in a week so that it is free from germs. Most importantly, ensure there are no insects or rodents present in the kitchen. You should clean faucets, handles, knobs, and kitchen appliances daily. If you are using an apron, do not use it for cleaning hands or any other things.

 

Read:-Kitchen Requirements For Home Baking Business

 

• Keep yourself clean 

 

 

You use your hands both before and after cooking. If your hand contains any germs, they will pass on to the vegetables or meat. You can use gentle soap or handwash to wash your hands. You can wash it properly for 20 seconds and then clean it lukewarm water. If you have any cuts or bruises in your hands then you must cover it with a bandage before working in the kitchen. You even use hand gloves to maintain food hygiene in the kitchen. 

 

• Store food in clean places before and after cooking 

 

 

You should store vegetables and meat in clean containers. If you using the refrigerator to store vegetables, meat, or cooked food, then you must make sure to keep it too clean.  

 

Read:-Safest Vegetable and Fruit Packaging Trends

 

• Separate raw meat and vegetarian foods 

 

 

Handling raw meat is one of the important kitchen hygiene practices. You should keep it separately from the vegetarian foods as bacteria grow in raw meat rapidly. Use a different cutter to ensure there is no cross-contamination. You should separate the packet of meat from other items as soon as you bring it at home. 

 

• Keep utensils and tools clean and wash them before and after use 

 

 

You should not keep utensils unwashed for a long time. If you are washing them with your hands then let it get air dry instead of wiping from cloth. You should touch only the handle of the utensils and try to avoid touching the food.  

 

Read:-Choose The Right Type Of Oven For Your Kitchen

 

• Consequences of poor hygiene practices in a kitchen  

 

 

The main thing that happens due to poor hygiene kitchen safety and food handling is food contamination. The bacteria growth will occur in the food and will also allow cross containment to happen. When any person with poor hygiene handles such food, it causes food poisoning. It is one of the common illness that people suffer. Food poisoning is very dangerous as it affects differently on different person. Some people may have symptoms of vomiting and nausea. It can make some people suffer from seizures or can make them die. 

 

• Common foodborne diseases  

 

 

The kitchen is a hotspot for foodborne diseases. The vegetables and meat provide a conducive environment for germs to grow. Poor hygiene can cause parasitic, bacterial, or viral contamination of food. Diarrhea, hepatitis A, E. coli, gastroenteritis is some of the common foodborne diseases.

 

Read:-TIPS AND TRICKS THAT YOU NEED TO MANAGE YOUR KITCHEN WELL.