Food Safety Guidelines during the Festive Season

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs wants to ensure that during this festive season that people are very vigilant when purchasing, preparing and consuming foods in an effort to mitigate foodborne illnesses. Therefore the Ministry of Health takes the opportunity to remind the general public of some of the necessary precautions to protect themselves, family, friends and loved ones against possible food-borne illnesses. Some of the critical guidelines for persons to follow to keep food safe for human consumption include: never purchase canned foods which are unlabeled, dented, rusted or blown and large quantities of foods with short shelf life or close to being expired; avoid purchasing any meats that have not been inspected and passed; Avoid keeping food in the temperature danger zone between 4oC and 60oC where food poisoning bacteria grow best; cook foods properly and refrigerate leftovers immediately after the meal (as soon as it stops steaming), to name a few.