Habits to avoid food poisoning in summers

Yes, summer is all about enjoying ice creams and snacks with friends and family. However, it is also important to pay heed to what you're eating in summers because unfortunately, food poising is more common during the hot season.

Food poisoning can be caused by the consumption of contaminated food. During summers, bacteria grows easily on food due to moisture and the warmth present in the environment. Some of the common symptoms of food poisoning are stomach ache, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weakness, mild fever and headache.

Here are a few ways to keep yourself happy while eating what you love-

Maintain hygiene: Clean your hands before eating or preparing food. Dirty hands and surfaces can quickly spread germs and cause foodborne illness. One should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water before and after having food and after using the  bathroom, changing diapers, and handling pets. Whenever you are eating away from home, keep hand sanitiser with you or find clean water to wash your hands with.

Store your food properly: Cooked food like meat, leftover meals and summer staples like potatoes or salad can get spoiled if they’re left out for too long. Make sure your refrigerator is working. Avoid eating refrigerated leftovers for more than 2 days in summer. Do not suffocate your fridge with a lot of food.

Wash fruit and vegetables before you eat them: Raw food items like vegetables, salads, and fruits often contain dangerous germs. If you’re using them for cooking anything, rinse everything under running water  nd clean it properly with your hands.

Maintain kitchen hygiene: Keep your surroundings clean, especially in the kitchen where food is prepared. Make sure you keep your kitchen bins covered properly, none of the taps is leaking as they can cause fungi in the sink during the rainy season. Make sure that proper ventilation is maintained and everything gets dusted.