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Ensuring food safety during monsoon
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Saturday, 05 August, 2023, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Ashwin Bhadri
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Monsoon brings with it the much awaited respite from the sweltering summer. With the first showers, the petrichor leaves our senses scintillated. However, not everything is glorious about the monsoon season, as it also brings with it a host of food and waterborne diseases. Monsoon proves to be an ideal breeding ground for various bacteria and viruses. The damp, moist and cool temperature condition is a haven for disease-spreading organisms. These organisms can lead to food poisoning and other illnesses if one comes in contact with foods affected by them.
The delicious aromas of fried foods engulf our mind and tempt us to eat from roadside stalls. However, one should try and avoid consuming food from such eateries, as hygiene quotient of roadside stalls is questionable. Even while preparing home cooked meals, care must be taken about washing all the vegetables and other ingredients thoroughly. In the monsoon season, the digestive systems becomes sluggish. Consuming soups is recommended as it is light on the digestive system, packed with nutrients and also helps the body remain hydrated.
Practising personal hygiene is also equally important during monsoon. Washing hands before and while preparing meals is crucial. Additionally, cooked foods must be stored in the refrigerator after they reach room temperature to prevent contamination by bacteria and fungus. Growth of bacteria, mould and fungus is favourable in the moist and humid conditions of monsoon. These organisms can contaminate food items quickly, especially dairy products and meat. Proper storing of food products is a must during monsoon.
During the monsoon season, the insect activity is also on the rise. Flies, mosquitoes and ants are responsible for contaminating food products and acting as carriers of disease-causing organisms. Keeping cooked foods covered if kept outside is a good practice to ward off any insects trying to feast on the foods. It is best to avoid raw and pre-cut foods (fruits and salads) as bacterial growth is high is such foods. It is advisable to cut fruits and salads when needed. For giving your immunity a boost during the monsoon season, include garlic, pepper, lemons, coriander and turmeric in your diet to keep diseases at bay.
Always store eggs and raw meat away from the rest of the food items in the refrigerator. This step is important as cross-contamination is highly possible between raw meat and cooked foods. Storing raw meat in vacuum-sealed bags is recommended. You could even put those bags in the freezer to extend the shelf life of raw meat. Use airtight containers to store food products to keep them fresh for a longer time. Always drink boiled water to avoid the spread of waterborne illnesses. Additionally, check the sources of water if consuming water when out of the home.
Following guidelines as specified by the regulatory authority and food experts is advisable to avoid any untoward consequences. While monsoon is a season to enjoy and get drenched, a little care in the consumption of food will go a long way to ensure good health.
(The author is CEO at Equinox Labs)
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