Rules for Good Kitchen Hygiene Everyone Should Follow

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 09 October 2019 22:19

Food poisoning and other illnesses of the stomach and digestive system are a common problem and where many people may think that eating outside is the cause of most of these problems, they will be surprised by the actual fact. In reality, the majority of food poisoning cases and other problems in the digestive tract are caused by homemade foods. This is a direct cause of improper kitchen hygiene.

Now, the kitchen is one of the most important parts of a home, and we know that everyone tries their best to keep it clean, but the problem is that many people are not aware of some essential protocols and rules that have to be followed in the kitchen to maintain optimal hygiene. So today, we have compiled a simple guide with some essential rules that should be followed in the kitchen. Keep reading to improve your knowledge about maintaining a healthy and hygienic kitchen. 

  • Store the Food Properly

One of the most important parts of maintaining a hygienic kitchen that many people aren't aware of is the proper storage of the food. Most cases of cross-contamination happen in the refrigerator. So firstly, keep all of your ready to eat and prepared food covered when you store it. Also, don't put hot food in the refrigerator. Let it cool down to room temperature because sudden changes in temperature can make food go bad quicker.

When you are storing raw meat in the refrigerator, you have to be extra careful. Remember to keep the raw meat in a zip lock bag and keep it on the lowest shelf of the freezer because the blood from the meat can sometimes drip into the ready to eat food and cause cross-contamination.

  • Wash Fruits and Vegetables before Storing

It is important that you wash fruits and vegetables before you store them in the refrigerator. Everyone washes their fruits and vegetables before using them, but by then, the damage is already done. Fruits and vegetables are usually sprayed with pesticides and insecticides when they are grown, and some traces of these poisonous sprays can be left on them. When the fruits and vegetables are stored without being washed, these pesticides can also contaminate other food items in the refrigerator. So, remember to wash all store-bought fruits and veggies before you store them.

  • Keep the Drains Clean

One of the hotspots for germs and bacteria inside the kitchen is the sink and especially the drains. The grease and bits of food from the plates that are washed in the sink can start sticking to the drain pipe. This mixture of grease and rotting food is a great breeding ground for germs and bacteria that compromise the hygiene of your kitchen. Therefore, you should clean the drains regularly to avoid this build-up. Keeping the drains clean is also quite easy and simple. All you have to do is pour some hot water down the drain at the end of every day to keep it clean and germ-free.

  • Keep Pests Out of the Kitchen

The amazing smells and food from the kitchen may bring the family together, but it also attracts some unwanted pests like rats and cockroaches. This, of course, is very bad for the hygiene of your kitchen. You should make sure that the pests don't have any entry point into the kitchen and keep your drains covered.

If you do have to repel pests, use natural and organic methods instead of poisonous sprays because they can also contaminate the food. For example, you can use basil leaves to repel cockroaches. To learn more about keeping your kitchen and home pest free and hygienic, check out Pestwiki.com. This is an amazing website that has tons of important and useful information about pests and repelling them.

  • Keep Your Pets Out of the Kitchen

Another common mistake that many people who have pets in the home make is that they let their pets roam around in the kitchen. The kitchen and your dining area should be strictly off-limits to the pets, and their dishes should be kept in a separate area, and they should also be cleaned separately.

Pets can carry a lot of dangerous germs that can cause many diseases for humans. Though the diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans are quite rare, you still have to be careful. Also, remember to wash your hands after feeding or petting your pets. 

  • Avoid Cross-Contamination of Food

Cross-contamination is one of the most serious problems related to poor kitchen hygiene. Cross-contamination is the most common cause of food poisoning, and it should be avoided. You should clean up all the countertops at the end of every day, and it is preferable that you keep different cutting boards for meat and other foods. Keep food items covered and remember to wash your hands when you are preparing food.

  • Cook Food Thoroughly

Cooking food, especially meat, thoroughly, is very important to maintain a healthy kitchen. Uncooked and raw meat can cause many problems like salmonella and food poisoning. To make sure that the meat is fully cooked, put a knife or a toothpick through the thickest part of the meat. If the meat is well-cooked, then there shouldn't be any pink meat, and the juices from the meat should be clear.

Another common mistake that is made in the kitchen is in the reheating process of food. The food should not be reheated more than once. So, once the food is chilled, only heat up the portion that is to be used. 

  • Take Out the Trash Regularly

In the kitchen, a lot of organic trash like fruit peels, coffee grounds, used teabags and wasted food is collected. If the trash is kept in the kitchen for too long, it can start to rot and breed germs and bacteria. For a clean and hygienic kitchen, trash should be taken out every day.

You should buy a smaller trash can for the kitchen and make sure that it can be opened without touching it. If you have a home garden, then the organic trash from the kitchen can be used as compost to make the garden healthy.

About the Author:

Cora James is a blogger who loves to write about home improvement as well as its maintenance. She is an extrovert, believes in creativity and loves to re-model almost everything! You can read more about her posts at https://www.pestwiki.com/category/blog/.

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