It’s crucial to practice safe food handling while preparing and cooking food because if you don’t, it could lead to food poisoning. The problem, though, is that there are countless myths about food safety, so there are many people who follow incorrect rules. At Brunswick Food Service Educators, we want you to be aware of these misconceptions, so we’ve listed 5 of the common myths regarding safe food handling. (Related topics: Florida food handlers card, Florida food handler certification)
You should always wash meat before cooking it
Although raw meat has bacteria, washing it will not remove the bacteria. In fact, washing raw meat can be harmful because it spreads bacteria to your hands and other surfaces. To properly kill bacteria on your raw meat, you should cook it thoroughly.
The best way to defrost meat is at room temperature
Many people defrost their meat at room temperature, but this will cause the outside of the meat to defrost faster than the center. As a result, the meat will be in the “danger zone”, meaning it is at the temperature where bacteria will multiply. The best way to defrost meat is in the refrigerator or in cold water.
If you cut off the mold, the rest of the food is safe to eat
Although not all mold on food is harmful, some mold produces mycotoxins, which can cause serious illness. Molds produce roots that extend deep into the food, meaning that the areas around the visual mold may also be contaminated. If your food has any signs of mold, the best thing you can do is throw it away.
You don’t need to clean your produce bin because it doesn’t contain meat
There are naturally occurring bacteria on fruits and vegetables that can spread to your produce bin, resulting in cross-contamination if not properly cleaned. In fact, studies have showed that the produce bin is often the area in refrigerators that contain the most germs. Due to this, make sure to wash your produce bin with hot water and soap to prevent cross-contamination.
You don’t need to wash your fruit and vegetables before peeling them
Even if you are not planning to eat the peel, you should wash your fruits and vegetables before peeling or cutting them to remove the bacteria on the skin. When you cut a mango, for example, the knife will cut through the skin first, spreading the bacteria from the outside of the mango to the inside.
This article introduces 5 of the common myths about safe food handling practices, but there are many more misconceptions. To learn more about food safety, make sure to get a Florida food handlers certificate.
