Food Hygiene
Hygiene
Hygiene encompasses all practices and measures taken to eliminate factors that can directly or indirectly harm human health.
Personal Hygiene
- We should wash our hands when coming from outside.
- Hands should be washed before and after meals.
- Hands should be washed after using the restroom.
- Regular showers should be taken.
- Teeth should be brushed regularly.
- Nails should be kept short and trimmed regularly.
Food Hygiene
Food hygiene is defined as all the necessary precautions and conditions to control hazards and ensure the suitability of food for human consumption, taking into account the intended use of the food.
Furthermore, food hygiene;
Contributes to the protection of human health by preventing the effects arising from harmful microorganisms and other physical and chemical risks, and reducing food losses by preventing food spoilage.
For food hygiene;
- Raw fruits and vegetables should be washed in clean water.
- Hands should be washed before washing fruits and vegetables.
- Hands should be washed before moving on to prepare another product.
What is Cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination is the transfer of microorganisms from one food to another through the environment, hands, or utensils. Cross-contamination can occur in various ways, including:
- From food to food,
- Through a person,
- Through kitchen utensils,
- From water to food.
Common Causes of Cross-contamination
- Failure to clean surfaces and utensils used for food preparations
- Raw and cooked products are not stored in different compartments of the refrigerator
- Not using separate cutting boards for different types of food (e.g., chicken, meat, vegetables, bread, etc.)
- Failure to follow the personal hygiene practices (hands, clothing, etc.)
- Improper storage of food
- Storing chemical products together with food
Potential Hazards in Food
A hazard in food is defined as a chemical, biological, or physical substance/organism that, when present in a food item during consumption, can render the food item unsafe.
Biological Hazards in Food
Organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause spoilage in food and diseases in humans.
Biological Hazards in Food
Click here for more detailsChemical Hazards in Food
Things like pesticides, harmful chemicals, and dyes can pose a chemical danger to food.
Chemical Hazards in Food
Click here for more detailsPhysical Dangers in Food
Physical dangers in food are things we can see, such as dust, dirt, glass, hair, and such articles.