Careful Preparation Can Prevent Food Poisoning in Your Gainesville Apartment
No matter what type of food you’re eating, there’s a good chance it has some kind of bacteria or virus on it. Some of these microbes are exceptionally healthy, such as those in yogurt, but unfortunately, many others can cause food poisoning. Thankfully, there are several simple steps you can take to avoid eating food that’s spoiled or contaminated.
Being careful not to cross-contaminate food is one of the most essential steps in food safety. First, it’s a good idea to separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from all other items, whether you’re putting the meat into your grocery cart or inside your refrigerator. The plastic plastic bags available in most grocery stores’ produce and meat departments are especially useful tools when you want to keep food isolated from each other. When it’s time to cook, prepare your raw meat in a way that it will not touch any of your other food. Use a cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood and then wash your hands, the cutting board, dishes, and utensils in hot, soapy water before you prepare anything else. You also should wipe down counters with disinfectant after preparing raw meat. And finally, never place cooked food on an unwashed dish, plate, or utensil that touched raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
Bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms don’t necessarily need to be alive to cause food poisoning. Many of these germs leave toxins that can cause illness even when food is fully cooked, so it’s important to look for signs of spoiled food, including:
- Green or black spots that could indicate mold
- An unpleasant or unusual odor
- Slimy or tacky textures on food
- A velvet appearance or texture
When you notice any of these signs, immediately throw the food away. Be sure to clean the area where bad food has been stored and carefully monitor food that was stored close to it. With these steps and thorough cooking, you’ll drastically reduce your chances of contracting food poisoning.
If you’re looking to move into a Gainesville apartment with well furnished kitchens where you can hone your cooking skills, consider Bellamay Grand. To learn more about our available units, contact us today.
