Attention to food safety!

Although the most popular topic about nutrition is "what we should eat and what we should not eat", there is another issue that is at least as important: Food Safety. I asked my questions about what we should pay attention to in this regard to Okşan Altaş, MSc Food Engineer at TMMOB Chamber of Food Engineers Istanbul Branch.

• What is food safety?

Food safety is the preparation, processing, preservation and presentation of foods by preventing their exposure to microbiological, physical and chemical hazards in order not to cause foodborne diseases. Safe food is foods that have not lost their nutritional value, are intact and free from contamination. Food security is a process that continues from field to fork.

• Food safety is a concept used for which foods and what should be considered about these foods?

Food safety covers all foods. I can list the things that need special attention as follows:

1. Perishable foods such as meat, fish and chicken should be left at the end of the shopping. It should be put in the refrigerator within 1 hour at most.

2. Frozen foods should be bought at the end of the shopping, purchased undissolved and placed in the deep freezer as soon as possible without thawing.

3. Thawed foods should not be re-frozen.

4. Eggs with dirty, cracked shells and no production date print should be purchased. Eggs should be kept in the refrigerator and without washing.

5. Unpacked milk of unknown origin should not be purchased. Labeled, pasteurized or long-life milk should be preferred. Once opened, packaged milk should be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days.

6. Unripe cheeses made from raw milk should not be purchased.

7. - Legumes, grains, dry foods should be moist, moldy and free from infestation. Their storage should be done in a cool and dry environment, away from sunlight.

8. Blown, blown canned food should not be purchased or used.

9. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator in the crisper in a way that they do not come into contact with other foods.

10. Unlabeled foods should not be purchased. On the label, the manufacturer company information, the manufacturer company registration number, production date, expiration date or recommended consumption date, ingredients information, nutritional values ​​information, allergen warnings, usage and storage instructions, net amount and origin information should be included.

11. Raw and cooked foods should be kept in the refrigerator so that they do not come into contact with each other.

12. Foods prepared with raw eggs should not be consumed.

13. Potatoes should be stored in a cool and dark place. Sprouted potatoes should not be consumed.

14. Fruits and vegetables should not be consumed without washing.

15. Cooked meals should be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days, and the food should be heated enough to be eaten. The heating temperature should be at least 80 ° C.

16. Minced meat should be kept in the refrigerator after preparation and consumed within 2 days at most.

• What should be considered about food safety during pregnancy and childhood?

Foodborne diseases pose serious dangers, especially in children, pregnant women and the elderly. For this reason, more care should be taken in the preparation and consumption of foods. During these periods, for example;

• Undercooked meat products should not be consumed.

• Open food should not be preferred.

• Fruits and vegetables to be consumed raw should be washed carefully.

• Unpasteurized milk and dairy products should not be consumed.

• What are the other important points to be aware of about food safety?

• Ensuring food safety is not possible with food alone. Both personal hygiene and the hygiene of the tools and equipment used should be ensured.

• Correct hand washing habits should be acquired.

• Broken, cracked, crushed tools and equipment should not be used.

• Kitchen equipment used in raw food should not be used for cooked food. For example; Bread should not be cut with a knife where raw chicken meat is chopped.

• In addition to all these, foods that are suspected due to their taste, smell and appearance should not be consumed.