World Food Safety Day June 7

World Food Safety Is celebrated on 7 June

Right Ways to Preserve Your Food to Keep Them Safe And Retain Their Nutritional Value

World Food Safety Day 2020: Annually, around 600 million people suffer from food-borne diseases globally. This means 1 in 10 people worldwide fall prey to ailments caused due to food contamination. This is what the report of the World Health Organisation states. What’s more concerning is that every year, approximately 1,25,000 children under the age of 5 years succumb to food-borne diseases globally. Also Read - Watch Healthy Snack Recipe: This Easy Oatmeal Food Can be Your Super Quick Breakfast

To decrease this death prevalence and promote good health, the United Nations General Assembly started a campaign called the World Food Safety Day in 2018. It aims at making people aware of the consequences of eating contaminated food and how to reduce their risk of getting food-borne diseases. Also Read - World Food Safety Day: How to Prevent Foodborne Diseases

Today, that’s what we are going to tell you here. As we observe the World Food Safety Day today, let’s know the right ways to store food and reduce its chance of getting contaminated.

Apart from the use of non-permitted colors in food, insect infestation, and incorrect cooking habits, improper food storage techniques can also contaminate your food and increase your risk of getting food-borne ailments. Today, on the World Food Safety Day, let’s know about the right food storage ways.

Use Glass Containers

Plastic containers contain harmful chemicals like glyme, bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates. Storing food in them means exposing your food to these chemicals. So, it is always advised to opt for a glass container, especially those with glass leads.

Do Not Keep Cut Fruits in Open

Cut fruits should never be kept in open, even in the refrigerator. Always cover them. To do that, you can use airtight containers. Thin plastic food wraps are also available in the market. This would be the better option to go for.

Store Pre-Cooked or Marinated Food The Right Way

Marinated foods should not be kept open in the refrigerator. Put them in air-tight containers or in aluminum wraps. Make sure there is no scope of air going inside the wrapping. Doing this can prevent oxygenation and contamination of food. Cold cuts should not be left packed for over 3 days.

Dairy Products Should be Stored This Way

You can keep fresh farm milk in the refrigerator right away. However, in the case of packaged milk, do away with the packaging and heat the milk. Then, let it cool down. Post that, you can keep it in the refrigerator. It can be used for up to 6 weeks. If you are using tetra-pack, consume the milk within 3 days. You can refrigerate dairy products like butter and paneer in their original wrap.

India's food safety index

Gujarat has topped among larger States in terms of food safety index, while Chandigarh tops among UTs. Goa leads smaller States so far as food safety is concerned, as per the details shared by FSSAI on Sunday.

Gujarat is followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which today released the results of the second 'State Food Safety Index' to celebrate the World Food Safety Day during a webinar.

Among smaller States, Goa is followed by Manipur and Meghalaya. Among UTs, Chandigarh, Delhi, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have secured top ranks.

Participating in the webinar -- Food Safety is everyone's business -- on the occasion, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said: "Food safety is a shared responsibility. The call to action for safe food on this day is: Ensure it's safe, Grow it safe, Keep it safe, Eat it safe and Team up for safety."

FSSAI also released an e-handbook on 'Eat Right during COVID-19' for the citizens. It highlights safe food practices to be followed diligently and tips on health and nutrition.

An updated guidance note 'Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines for Food Businesses during Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic' was also released on the occasion.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey said: "Children are powerful agents of change. Teaching children and youth the importance of food safety will not only ensure good health for future generations but will also transform our habits."

"As we are lifting the lockdown, we need to ensure adequate precautions are taken in restaurants and the foodservice and delivery establishments. We must emphasize food safety through social media and other communication platforms," said Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (ANI)

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
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