Food poisoning remains one of the common public health problems in Africa and other parts of the world.
According to a 2019 survey conducted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Science and Technology, at least 200,000 Nigerians die annually from food poisoning, and about 90,000 cases of food-borne diseases were recorded in Nigeria yearly.
Food poisoning happens when we eat food, in particular raw food, that has been contaminated usually by bacteria or a virus such as Norovirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or E. coli. Raw foods include meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and seafood.
In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that an estimated 600 million people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die every year. Children under the age of 5 carry 40% of the world’s foodborne disease burden, with 125,000 deaths every year, according to WHO.
For these reasons, there is a need to take extra care when handling or preparing food to protect you and your family from poisoning. When handling food, bear in mind the important 4 Cs of food hygiene: cross-contamination, cleaning, cooking, and chilling.
To reduce your risk of food poisoning at home and keep your family safe, here are four steps you can follow:
Cleaning
Practice good hand hygiene. Remember to wash your hands regularly with Dettol soap and water. Clean and disinfect food preparation surfaces. After preparing food (especially raw meat, fish, or eggs), it is important to use a disinfectant spray or wipe on any kitchen surfaces that you’ve used.
Thorough Cooking
Cook food or meat thoroughly, and ensure it’s ready to eat before serving. Ensure that reheated food is hot throughout, and avoid reheating it more than once. Food temperature is an important factor, as temperature abuse can allow for microbes to produce toxins and cause infections such as Staphyloccocus Aureus and Bacillus Cereus.
Cooling And Refrigeration
Cool, cover, and refrigerate cooked food within one hour. Separate large portions into smaller containers, if needed, to speed up cooling. Follow packaging guidelines for refrigerating fresh food and consume or dispose of food within its “best before” date.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Remember to wash your hands with antiseptic soaps (like Dettol) before preparing food, and directly after handling raw food ingredients. You should also prepare raw meat and ready-to-eat food separately – always use different utensils and chopping boards.
Keeping your home hygienic is a great step to reduce your chances of contracting food poisoning.
