UNSAFE BEHAVIOUR IN THE KITCHEN

 GASTRONOMIC DIALOGUE

By Diana Onyimo

It's a Saturday, and welcome to this week's edition. I am Chef Diana.We are going to talk about unsafe behavior in the kitchen.I hope this will help someone .

Touching your face, nose, ears, or mouth when working with food.

It's crucial not to touch these areas, as bacteria can be transferred to food.

After any of these actions, hands must be washed thoroughly afterward.

If a handkerchief/tissue is used, hands should be washed thoroughly afterward.

If a sneeze or cough is unavoidable, turn away and sneeze into the shoulder area.

The mouth also harbors large numbers of bacteria, therefore, the mouth or lips should not be touched when working with food.

Ears, too, are a source of bacteria and should not be touched when handling food.

Chewing gum

Chewing gum is not acceptable when preparing food as it produces more saliva and may involve touching the lips and mouth, which can transfer bacteria to food.

It also looks unprofessional.

Also, avoid talking when cooking because of saliva.

Eating in the kitchen

When cooking, you will frequently need to taste the food you cook to assess the flavor, texture, and seasonings. 

This should be done in a controlled and hygienic way using a clean teaspoon. 

Use the spoon only once, then clean and disinfect it before using it again. 

Alternatively, use a disposable plastic spoon and then throw it away. 

Do not use cooking utensils such as wooden spoons for tasting food, nor should fingers be used for this purpose as bacteria may be transferred to the food.

Picking at the food being prepared is a hazard because you are likely to have touched the face or mouth, which can then transfer harmful bacteria to the food.

Smoking

Smoking is now illegal in most buildings and certainly where there is food.

 

If food handlers smoke at break times, hands must be washed thoroughly afterward because when a cigarette is taken from the mouth, bacteria from the mouth can be transferred via the fingers onto food.

Till next time. Happy cooking!!!!! 

•Diana Onyimo is a Zimbabwean Salvationist based in South Africa. She soldiers at Johannesburg City Corps. She writes here on her own personal capacity. 

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