Monsoon is a season that brings relief from the scorching summer heat. But it is not a time to let your guard down or compromise on food hygiene. The excess moisture and dampness during this season bring in germs that can cause illness if you don’t maintain proper personal and food hygiene. Here are some basic tips to enjoy the monsoon without experiencing foodborne illness.
Although it’s natural to crave food filled with flavor and taste during the cold season, keeping food safety in mind helps you enjoy the monsoon without guilt. It is important to maintain cleanliness not just at a personal level but also in your kitchen to avoid monsoon illnesses due to increased moisture and humidity.
Be it a steaming cup of tea, or crispy fritters, the craving as the rain showers complement the weather and the snacks or quick bites that we indulge in on such days, evoke a sense of comfort and delight. As you satisfy your tastebuds and indulge in the monsoon magic, following food hygiene practices will keep you from ruining your flavorful culinary journey in rainy season.
Safeguard your health and keep the monsoon excitement with these food hygiene tips
Cooking in excess
During the rainy season, the shelf life of food is impacted by high moisture and humidity. Leftover food gets easily contaminated by fungi and bacteria that are very active during rainy days. Avoid cooking or storing food in excess, to avoid foodborne illness. In addition, don’t leave food out too long and store your leftovers safely to avoid contaminating other food stored along.
Keep food covered
Keeping food that is to be consumed later, covered and refrigerated helps you avoid microbial contamination of food. Keeping food out for too long makes it soggy and unsafe to consume. Choose airtight containers and cover your food right away after consumption, as improper storage of foods may cause them to deteriorate sooner.
Wash fruits and veggies
During monsoons, fruits and vegetables may harbor insects, dirt, and larvae on their surface. Wash them carefully and thoroughly before using them to avoid infections. Even if the fruits and veggies are pack, ensure that you wash them thoroughly before use.
Keep your refrigerator clean
Excessive condensation and moisture in your fridge can promote the growth of mold and bacteria. Deep clean your refrigerator and discard any expired or spoiled food. Store food to be refrigerated in airtight containers and maintain the fridge clean and dry.
Avoid raw and pre-cut food
Consuming raw salads, pre-cut fruits, or partially cooked foods, that can harbor bacteria, should be avoided during the rainy days to stay away from infections. Consuming fresh and thoroughly cooked food is safe.
You may also replace fried and fatty food that easily adds to your weight, with freshly brewed soups, corn, chickpeas and oats which are healthy and rich in proteins. Including more of pepper, garlic, ginger, cumin and turmeric improve your immune system and help you avoid indigestion. Although it’s tempting, do not consume a lot of tea or coffee as it could lead to acidity problems.
Enjoy your food this monsoon as your taste buds revel in the flavors of delightful treats and keep away from foodborne illness with these food hygiene tips. Stay safe and healthy this monsoon and resist your temptation for any junk food by opting for healthy food.
What food do you enjoy the most in monsoons? do share your comments.
This Post Has One Comment
Incredible! It is a truly fantastic post, and I have gained a lot of good understanding regarding from reading this post.