FOOD HYGIENE AND PREPARATION

SUB-TOPIC:         Preparation of simple snacks and drinks

MEANING OF FOOD HYGIENE AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Food hygiene means preventing harmful bacteria from growing in food, by keeping the kitchen, appliances, tools, and yourself clean as well as washing, cooking, preserving, and storing food properly. This is also called food sanitation.

Food hygiene is very important to health. This is because harmful bacteria can grow in food until the food becomes unsafe to eat.  These bacteria are tiny living things that multiply rapidly. They can be seen only with a microscope.  They spread food-borne diseases namely salmonella poisoning and botulism.

 GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR FOOD HYGIENE

•         Wash cooking utensils, cutting boards, and other surfaces thoroughly every time you prepare food.

•         Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

•         Wash the tops of cans such as canned milk, tomatoes, salad cream, corned beef, etc before opening them.

•         Keep pets such as pussy cats and dogs out  of the kitchen

•         Use a clean plate for cooked food, never use the same plate that holds the raw food.

•         Wash your hands thoroughly before working with food and after using the toilet

•         Use a tissue paper when you must sneeze or cough and turn away from the food, then wash your hands.

•         Cover and store leftover food in the refrigerator

•         Cover your hair when in the kitchen to keep the hair out of the food.

•         If an insecticide is used to kill pests, do not allow it to come in contact with food or surfaces, utensils, or containers that will touch food.

PREPARATION OF SIMPLE DRINKS AND SNACK

Pineapple drink

Recipe

¼ of medium-sized pineapple

1 tsp lime juice (if desired)

Syrup to taste

280ml clean cold water

Procedure

•         Wash the whole pineapple.

•         Cut off the required size

•         Peel and grate the pineapple

•         Add water to the grated pineapple, pass through a clean strainer

•         Add lime juice, syrup and water. Mix properly

•         Chill and serve.

Preparation of sugar syrup

80g of granulated sugar

1 cup of water

Procedure

•         Place the sugar in a clean saucepan

•         Add water

•         Bring the mixture to boil

•         Reduce the heat and simmer until the syrup is slightly thick

•         Leave to cool.

Preparation of simple snacks (chips)

Chips can be prepared from green plantain, yam, potatoes, etc.

2 fingers of green plantain

50ml. Vegetable oil

Salt to taste.

Procedure

•         Wash and peel plantain

•         Slice thinly

•         Season lightly with salt

•         Fry in deep oil until it is crisp and light brown

•         Drain in a clean basket or kitchen paper. Serve hot.

Evaluation:

•         Explain the meaning of food hygiene

•         Outline five guidelines for food hygiene