13 Dec Food Safety: What Happens When Food Isn’t Stored Properly
With the holiday season nearing its start, gatherings and parties will be filling your calendar.
The busiest time of the year is also the most food-filled event, especially for Filipinos who love their seasonal hams, puto bumbong, bibingka, and queso de bola.
However, food waste becomes a common occurrence at these gatherings.
It was reported that Filipino households’ food waste amounted to 2.95 million tonnes a year, per the United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report in 2024.
One of the ways to combat food waste is to save and store leftovers safely and properly.
Food Safety: Proper Storing of Leftovers
Proper storing of leftover foods can avoid certain health problems.
The World Health Organization reported that around 600 million, or almost 1 in 10 people, get ill after eating contaminated food. Food contamination also results in 420,000 deaths per year.
Aside from food waste, food contamination can also be avoided through proper food storage. Here are things you should keep in mind when storing leftovers:
- Put frozen goods in the freezer immediately after your shopping trip.
- Keep the hot and cold food separate during your trip home.
- Cooked food should be allowed to cool before storing it in the refrigerator. Wait until the steam from the food is not present anymore.
- Do not refreeze thawed food.
- When thawing food, avoid putting it at a dangerous temperature.
- Choose your containers wisely. Make sure it has a tight lid and is made from non-toxic materials.
- Always check the expiration date on its containers.
- Throw it out if you are unsure of its condition.
Foodborne illnesses
Many things can contaminate your food, if not prepared or stored properly. Several pathogens and even chemicals can contaminate your food.
Examples of bacterial contamination in food are:
- Salmonella
- Listeria
- Vibrio cholerae
Antimicrobials can treat infections caused by bacteria including foodborne pathogens.
Meanwhile, norovirus is a viral foodborne infection with symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Explosive vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Parasites can enter the food source through water or soil such as:
- Ascaris
- Cryptosporidium
- Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia
Naturally occurring toxins and environmental pollutants can also contaminate food sources, which can cause more serious health concerns such as cancer and developmental problems among others.
If you are experiencing symptoms of foodborne illnesses, contact your local health provider immediately.
iCare | Trusted HMO in the Philippines