Keeping our kitchen clean and safe for food preparation is an essential factor in providing nutritious and healthy meals for our kids. The nutritional values of food prepared in our kitchen will be of little value if food will be contaminated by disease causing germs and bacteria that may be breeding in the kitchen.
Here are some food safety measures that we can use for our kitchens.
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1. Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen at all times. Operate on a clean as you go basis so that germs and bacteria will not get a chance to breed in your kitchen.
2. Make sure that food left in the kitchen is either hot or placed inside the fridge. Lukewarm temperatures are ideal for bacterial growth that causes spoilage and food poisoning.
3. Never leave food in the kitchen without any cover.
4. Dispose of food trimmings or scraps properly. Use covered garbage bins a much as possible and make sure it is taken out on a regular basis.
5. Store pans, utensils, and dining ware in clean and enclosed shelves or cabinets that will keep them away from crawling insects.
6. Store cleaning implements and chemicals on bottom shelves and away from food.
7. Practice proper food preparation procedures like washing hands before and after handling food.
Aside from these food safety measures we can also check the structure of the kitchen itself for any material that may not be suited for it. The seemingly harmless paint may be toxic if it has high lead content or a wooden kitchen floor can be a breeding ground for termites and molds. Use materials that are easy to clean and do not corrode easily. There are water proof kitchen and basement tiles that you can use in areas prone to spillage or leaks like the surrounding areas of the sink, stove or refrigerator. When it comes to food safety, we can not leave any stone unturned and anything to chance. Keeping our kitchen spic and span is part of a healthy routine.
Great tips!