Tips for Improving Food Safety in Your Home Kitchen

Restaurants have strict safety codes they follow to make sure every meal they serve is clean, safe, and enjoyable. But what about your own kitchen? You might not have government authorities inspecting your space to make sure it’s up to code, but food safety is still important. Create a healthier space for you and your family when you follow these crucial tips for improving food safety in your home kitchen.

Don’t Neglect the Basics

Some food safety tips might seem obvious. You should always wash your hands before handling food or utensils. It’s also important to use a food thermometer to ensure you cook your food to a safe temperature. While these are basic rules that you may already know, it’s still necessary to emphasize them in your kitchen. Don’t overlook these steps just because you’re in a rush. Additionally, make sure everyone in your household also knows the importance of these rules and includes them in their own kitchen habits.

Invest in a Safe Kitchen Design

When improving food safety in your kitchen, you need to look beyond your cooking habits and consider the whole space. Incorporating health and safety into your kitchen’s design creates a cleaner and safer space for you to work in. If you have the chance to renovate your kitchen, look for safe or sanitary upgrades. For example, you should consider metal bar countertops. They have non-porous, antimicrobial surfaces that keep your prep area sanitary. At the same time, they enhance the look and feel of your space.

Thaw Foods Correctly

There are several things to remember when thawing frozen foods, especially when thawing meat, fish, and poultry. The most important tip is to never thaw at room temperature, as this can create uneven temperatures in your food. Instead, defrost food in the refrigerator, microwave, or cold water.

When thawing in the fridge, ensure you properly wrap and seal raw meat to prevent it from contaminating other food items. When using a microwave, use your microwave’s defrost settings and cook the food immediately afterward. To thaw food with water, set it in cold water and remember to change the water every half hour so that it doesn’t get too warm.