Keeping food safe and preventing foodborne illnesses heavily relies on maintaining excellent hygiene and safety practices in food preparation. Although many people complete Food Hygiene and Safety Training, they often forget critical food safety principles when cooking daily. Whether you’re cooking in a professional kitchen or at home, steering clear of these common mistakes can help you create a safer and healthier food environment.
1. Hand Hygiene Lapses
Proper handwashing is one of the simplest yet most overlooked food safety steps. People often think a quick rinse is enough, but an effective wash involves using soap and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. This practice is vital before cooking and after handling raw meats, as poor hand hygiene can spread harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
To avoid this mistake, always wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, particularly after dealing with raw meats or using the bathroom. Make sure to dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer, since wet hands can further spread germs.
2. Cross Contamination
Cross-contamination happens when bacteria from raw foods get transferred to cooked or ready-to-eat foods, often through using the same tools or surfaces without cleaning them in between.
To prevent this, use different cutting boards for raw meats and other foods, and thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces, knives, and utensils that come into contact with raw foods.
3. Overlooking Expiry Dates
It’s easy to forget about expiry dates, but eating expired food can seriously harm your health. These dates indicate when food may no longer be safe to consume.
To prevent this mistake, always check the expiry date before using any product, and regularly rotate the items in your fridge and pantry to ensure older products are used first.
4. Incorrect Storage Temperatures
Incorrectly storing food can lead to bacteria growth. The “danger zone” for bacteria is between 5°C and 63°C, so perishable food should be kept below 5°C in the fridge.
To avoid trouble, ensure your fridge temperature is set below 5°C, and refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.
5. Thawing Food Unsafely
Many people leave frozen food out on the counter to thaw, a practice that can encourage bacterial growth. The outer part of the food can warm while the inside stays frozen, setting the stage for bacteria to flourish.
To prevent this, thaw food in the fridge overnight, under cold water, or using the microwave. Never leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.
6. Ignoring Personal Hygiene
While focusing on food hygiene is crucial, personal hygiene of the cook matters too. Bacteria can be introduced when handling food while sick or wearing dirty clothes.
To avoid this, wear clean clothes and tie back long hair while cooking, and refrain from handling food if you’re feeling unwell.
7. Incorrect Cooking Temperatures
Cooking food to the right temperature is fundamental for killing harmful bacteria, yet many people rush and undercook their meals, risking foodborne illnesses.
Use a food thermometer to ensure food reaches the correct temperature, checking the thickest part of the meat to confirm.
8. Reusing Unclean Utensils
Using the same utensils for raw and cooked foods can lead to cross-contamination, a mistake often made when multitasking in the kitchen.
To prevent this, use different utensils for raw versus cooked items, and clean cutting boards, utensils, and surfaces right after use.
9. Inadequate Washing of Produce
Fruits and vegetables may appear clean but can harbor bacteria and pesticides. Skipping thorough washing puts you at risk for foodborne illnesses.
Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before consuming them, and use a clean brush to scrub firm produce like cucumbers and melons.
10. Neglecting to Clean Kitchen Surfaces
Ignoring the cleaning of kitchen surfaces, especially those that have been in contact with raw food, can lead to cross-contamination.
Regularly clean and disinfect all kitchen surfaces after food preparation, especially after dealing with raw meat, using kitchen disinfectant or a hot water and soap solution.
By being mindful of these common food safety mistakes and actively avoiding them, you can prepare food that is both safe and healthy for consumption. Master these top 10 mistakes, and you’ll enhance your safe cooking techniques significantly!
