How to keep food safe at home

June 7th marks World Food Safety Day, established by the United Nations in 2018. It is one of the most important “holidays” of the year but often goes unnoticed amidst the tribal media focused on political disputes and celebrity scandals (or vice versa).

Food safety is one of the key issues throughout the farm-to-table chain. Contamination is a significant cause of food waste and unrecognized hazards to health and life, even to the point of endangering humanity. Have you seen “The Last of Us”? The cause of the apocalypse in that story is precisely food contaminated with fungi. Fungi, bacteria, viruses, mechanical and chemical contaminants, as well as factors such as temperature, humidity, and light. Every year, foodborne illnesses affect 10% of the global population.

It is also important to take care and implement some basic food safety principles at home (and while shopping) to avoid health problems.

At home:
1. Maintain cleanliness.
— Wash your hands frequently and clean kitchen work surfaces and utensils thoroughly. Remember to regularly clean the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.
— Remember to regularly replace sponges, dishcloths, and scrub brushes. Here, I believe hygiene and food safety should take precedence over ecology. It’s great if you use eco-friendly and natural cloths and cleaning agents (which are usually more…