Everyone wants to gather around with their friends and family during Christmas. In family gatherings such as this, part of the festivity is to attend to the high influx of gifts and foods. This is a very challenging job and needs proper attention.
To face this challenge, you have to pay much attention not only to the foods that you are going to prepare, but also how to handle gifts that are perishable. Usually, perishable gifts are packed in food hampers to preserve the quality of what's inside. Take note that safe food and gift hampers handling practices can longer quality and help save lives as well.
Consider these ten simple food and gift hampers safe handling tips:
Simple washing of hands before preparing food is already a good example of safe food handling. This process often results to your family and friends to be highly aware of the importance of safety food handling.
To face this challenge, you have to pay much attention not only to the foods that you are going to prepare, but also how to handle gifts that are perishable. Usually, perishable gifts are packed in food hampers to preserve the quality of what's inside. Take note that safe food and gift hampers handling practices can longer quality and help save lives as well.
Consider these ten simple food and gift hampers safe handling tips:
- Always consider the right temperature for food that is hot, and for food that is cold. This way, the growth of bacteria is reduce, aroma, appearance and food texture is enhance.
- Always check gifts that are marked "keep refrigerated" or "keep frozen". They should arrive in good condition with visible ice crystals, or still cold when touch. Do not consume them when already warm.
- Consider nutritious food. Use them while fresh. If not, have them stored for long term using the right temperature and storage area. Once decay is found, discard the food immediately.
- Partially cooked food allows bacteria to quickly grow. Don't take chances. Food bacteria is hard to eliminate no matter how you cook the food.
- Use running water to thaw perishable foods, like meat. If thawed in microwave, cooked them immediately.
- Family feuds often result to unsafe food preparation. Be ready to set a strict guideline for food handling practices. A simple discussion like keeping the hands clean, storing leftovers in their proper storage areas and everything that has something to do with food safety should be discussed.
- When hosting a community dinner, always wear appropriate clothing. Remember that people who attend the dinner vary by age. For the elderly, you have to consider their weakening health. Same consideration for the very young diners. Use disposable plastic gloves and change them often.
- It is best to use the 'farm-to-the-table' approach in safe handling of food. The food preparer should know this and apply the method with diligence.
- It cost you less if you just throw away mishandled food. You don't want to frequently call your doctor for appointment, would you? 'When in doubt, throw it out.'
- Proper handling of food can save money. Remember, not millions but billions of dollars are spent in health care, but still food-borne illness continues to be a threat to health and safety.
Simple washing of hands before preparing food is already a good example of safe food handling. This process often results to your family and friends to be highly aware of the importance of safety food handling.