10 Golden Rules from WHO for Ensuring Household Food Safety

Applying food safety standards at home is essential to prevent foodborne diseases. Below are 10 golden rules from the World Health Organization (WHO) to help you optimize your daily food preparation process.

1. Choose safe processed foods: Prioritize foods that have been processed safely, such as pasteurized milk or items treated with ionizing radiation. Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before use.

2. Cook food thoroughly: Every part of the food must reach a minimum temperature of 70°C to eliminate dangerous microorganisms such as Salmonella or E. coli. Be especially careful with poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized milk. If the meat is still pink near the bone, continue cooking until fully done.

3. Eat immediately after cooking: Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Consuming food immediately after preparation significantly reduces the waiting time and the risk of bacterial contamination.

4. Properly store cooked foods: If storage is necessary, keep food at temperatures above 60°C or below 10°C. Avoid placing warm food into an overloaded refrigerator, as the center of the food may take too long to cool, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth.

5. Reheat thoroughly: Reheating food helps kill bacteria that may have developed during storage. Ensure the reheating temperature reaches 70°C throughout the entire dish.

6. Prevent cross-contamination: Strictly separate raw and cooked foods. Avoid using the same knives and cutting boards for both raw meat and cooked items to prevent the indirect spread of germs.

7. Maintain personal hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food, especially after handling raw meat or using the restroom. Bandage any hand wounds and keep pets away from the kitchen area.

8. Keep kitchen surfaces clean: All cooking utensils, countertops, and cutting boards must be cleaned regularly. Kitchen cloths should be changed or sanitized by boiling periodically.

9. Protect from pests and animals: Use airtight containers to store food, preventing intrusion from cockroaches, rodents, or other pests that carry pathogens.

10. Use safe water: Water used for cooking, washing produce, or making ice must be clean or boiled. This is crucial for the health of infants and the entire family.