5. Food Safety

Milk is heated to 80 °C for 15 minutes. Then it is cooled quickly. Heating kills the harmful microbes. Quick cooling stops the growth of the remaining microbes. So milk stays fresh for a longer time. This method was developed by Louis Pasteur.

• Adulterants like brick dust and sand cause stomach problems.
• Harmful colours and chemicals may cause poisoning.
• Some adulterants damage the liver and kidneys. Some may cause cancer.
• Adulterated food loses its nutritive value.

• They buy food in the required quantity only and check the expiry date.
• They store grains in clean, air-tight containers with neem leaves.
• They boil milk and keep it in the refrigerator.
• They keep cooked food covered.
• They wash vegetables before cutting them.
• They keep the kitchen clean and dry.

Food is spoiled when its colour, smell, taste or quality changes. Such food is unfit to eat. The factors that spoil food are:

• Natural changes inside the food (internal factors).
• Growth of microbes like bacteria and fungi.
• Pests like insects, rats and cockroaches.
• Moisture and heat.
• Reaction with metal vessels.
• Wrong storage and handling.

• Refrigeration for milk, vegetables and cooked food.
• Drying in the sun for grains, papad and chillies.
• Boiling milk.
• Using salt, sugar and oil for pickles and jams.
• Air-tight containers for grains.

We should not buy such sweets. Dust, flies and germs settle on them. We should tell the vendor to keep them covered.

We should not eat from him. Germs from dirty hands can cause diseases. We should politely ask him to wash his hands and use gloves.

• Remove the damaged ones.
• Store them properly in the refrigerator or in a cool place.
• Use the ones that spoil quickly first.
• Make pickles or jams from the extra quantity, or share it with others.

• Keep food in covered, air-tight containers.
• Keep the kitchen clean and dry.
• Throw kitchen waste daily in a covered dustbin.
• Close holes and cracks in walls.
• Put neem leaves in stored grains.

Salt is a natural preservative. The others are chemical preservatives.

Turmeric powder is a foodstuff. The others are adulterants.

Almond is a dry fruit. The others are fresh fruits.

Settling is a method of separation. The others are methods of food preservation.

Why: Food loses its quality and nutrients due to wrong storage, too many preservatives, overcooking, washing vegetables after cutting and delay in transport.

Remedies: Store food properly. Do not overcook. Wash vegetables before cutting. Transport food quickly.

Why: Less water was used, or the rice was not cooked for enough time.

Remedies: Sprinkle some hot water, cover the vessel and cook it again on low heat. Use the right amount of water next time.

Why: The wheat was not dried properly, or it was stored in a damp place. Moist wheat catches fungus and insects.

Remedies: Dry the wheat well in the sun. Store it in an air-tight container with neem leaves.

Why: The curd was kept in a warm place for too long. Or too much starter was used. Then bacteria make more acid.

Remedies: Use a little fresh starter in a clean vessel. Keep the curd in the refrigerator after it sets.

Why: The cut surface of fruits like apple and banana reacts with oxygen in the air. So it turns black.

Remedies: Cut fruits just before eating. Sprinkle lemon juice on them. Keep them covered in the refrigerator.

Food spoils due to the growth of microbes and chemical reactions. At 5 °C, microbes grow very slowly. The reactions also slow down. So food remains safe for a longer time.

• Each guest takes only as much food as needed. So less food is wasted.
• Guests can choose the dishes they like.
• Many guests are served in less time with fewer servers.

Safety measures: Grains are stored in air-tight containers. Milk is boiled and kept in the refrigerator. Cooked food is covered. Vegetables are washed before cutting.

Food wastage: Leftover food is thrown away. Some fruits rot. Excess food is cooked.

Suggestions: Cook only the required quantity. Use leftovers properly. Put peels in a compost pit.

• Milk (water): Put a drop of milk on a slanting glass. Pure milk leaves a white trail. Watered milk flows fast without a trail.
• Chilli powder (brick dust): Put it in water. Brick dust settles at the bottom.
• Turmeric (metanyl yellow): Add a few drops of HCl. Red colour appears.
• Rava (iron filings): Move a magnet through it. Iron filings stick to the magnet.
• Black pepper (papaya seeds): Put it in water. Papaya seeds float.
• Honey (sugar syrup): Put a drop in water. Pure honey settles. Adulterated honey dissolves.