During Ramadan, it can be easy to overlook details in the kitchen with relatives and friends coming by. However, paying close attention is important to ensure delicious, safe meals and prevent cross-contamination. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, bacteria can move from one place to another, causing pollution. Cross-contamination can be transmitted three ways: from raw food to cooked/clean food, from dirty hands to clean food, and from cutting boards to clean food. The USDA recommends washing hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling food, keeping raw meat, poultry, and fish away from other foods, using separate cutting boards if possible, washing cutting boards and countertops with hot, soapy water after chopping raw meat, never reusing raw meat or poultry packaging with other food, and cooking meat and poultry to a safe internal temperature. Kitchens tend to contain a lot of germs, especially since they’re where we prepare foods that can spread salmonella and E. coli, and sinks are a reservoir for bacteria. The NSF suggests sanitizing kitchen drains with a bleach solution once a month, washing sink strainers weekly, and cleaning faucet handles regularly.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — It may be difficult to pay attention to all the details in the kitchen during the month of Ramadan, with the preoccupation with the frequent visits of relatives and friends.
But we must scrutinize the details to ensure that we provide delicious meals that are safe for consumption at the same time, and to prevent what is referred to as cross-contamination.
And according to what the official account of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population indicated in a tweet on Twitter, bacteria can move from one place to another, causing pollution.
Cross contamination can be transmitted in 3 ways:
- From raw food to clean/cooked food
- From dirty hands to clean food
- From cutting boards to clean food
The official website of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shared some tips to protect against cross-contamination while preparing food, including:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling food, before eating, after using the bathroom, changing diapers, caring for someone who is sick, wiping your nose, sneezing, coughing, and handling pets
- Keep raw meat, poultry, and fish away from other foods
- Use separate cutting boards if possible
- After chopping raw meat, wash your cutting board, knife, and countertops with hot, soapy water
- Never reuse raw meat or poultry materials and packaging with other food items
- Get rid of any disease-causing bacteria by cooking meat and poultry to a safe internal temperature, which you can measure with a food thermometer.
In general, the kitchen is one of the areas that contain the most germs in the house, especially since it is the place where we prepare foods that can spread salmonella and E. coli.
The sink in the kitchen is another reservoir for bad bacteria, as many people defrost raw meat products in it after taking them out of the refrigerator, with only cleaning them with water.
The National Safety Foundation (NSF) says you should use a bleach solution once a month to sanitize kitchen drains, and sink strainers should be washed weekly.
And don’t forget to clean the faucet handles, too.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to pay attention to the details in the kitchen during the holy month of Ramadan, especially when it comes to preventing cross-contamination. Following the tips shared by the USDA, such as washing your hands before and after handling food, keeping raw meat away from other foods, and using separate cutting boards, can help ensure that the meals prepared for your loved ones are not only delicious but also safe for consumption. Let’s not forget to sanitize our kitchen sinks and faucet handles regularly to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. By taking these simple steps, we can enjoy the joyous occasion of Ramadan without compromising on our health and safety.