Foods exposed to flood waters may be unsafe to consume. How do you know which to discard and which to keep? Here are some pointers to help keep food poisoning and iillnesses at bay.
While you may take it easy with clothes and furniture that have been exposed to flood waters, you will have to be extra careful when it comes to food items.
Flood waters more often than not contaminate your food items, exposing them to bacteria, sewerage, oil or chemical wastes.
While you’ll dispose foods that have come directly in contact with flood waters, you may take it easy when it comes to foods that are `sealed’ in containers. Food `sealed’ in containers are not necessarily safe after coming into contact with flood waters.
The golden rule is to dispose any food items you don’t feel comfortable about consuming. You should do this without much thought.
Food thrown away is money wasted but it saves you the risk of falling ill and endangering your health.
Here are some guidelines to help you decide which food to discard and which to keep in the aftermath of a flood.
Foods That Ought to be Discarded
1. Any food in opened containers or packages that have been exposed to flood waters.
2. Unopened foods in containers with waxy seals. Such seals may keep out moisture in normal conditions but may not provide enough protection when it comes to flood waters.
3. Spices, seasonings and flavorings stored in containers.
4. Flour, grains, sugar, tea or coffee dust in cardboard boxes, paper bags and even canisters. Dispose them even if they look clean and dry.
5. Foods in tin cans that are leaking, bulging, rusting or dented at the seams
6. Discard also foods in tins that have been tossed far from their original locations. The seams on these tins may have weakened and their contents may have been contaminated.
7. Vegetables and fruits even if they look clean and fresh.
8. Fresh meat, fish and poultry. Avoid the temptation to clean and cook them. It’s a risk not worth taking.
When it comes to food containers, the general rule is those with screw caps, snap lids, crimp caps and pull tops should be discarded.
Foods You Can Keep
Despite the general rule about food containers, you can retain food cans that are not leaking, swollen or rusting.
Before you use these cans, make sure they’re free of contamination. Observe the following steps even if the cans look clean and uncontaminated.
1. Remove labels on the cans as they may trap germs or filth. If you need the information on the labels, note it on a separate sheet of paper or use a marker and write on the can itself.
2. Wash the cans with hot, soapy water ideally with a few drops of disinfectant like Dettol.
3. After rinsing it thoroughly, you should sanitize them in hot water. Allow them to remain in the water for 15 minutes or more.
4. Dry the cans for at least an hour. If possible, consume the food contained therein as soon as possible.
Cooking Utensils
You don’t necessarily have to discard your cooking utensils if they’ve come into contact with flood waters.
Observe the following steps before using them to cook food.
1. Wash the utensils thoroughly with hot, soapy water with a few drops of disinfectant.
2. After rinsing the utensils, sanitize the utensils with a bleach solution.
3. Allow the utensils to completely dry before using them.
Kitchen Counter Tops
You’re bound to use your counter tops to place food items. Make sure they are thoroughly cleaned with soapy water and disinfectant.
Sanitize your kitchen counter tops with a bleaching solution. Allow them to thoroughly dry before using them for food preparation or cooking.
By following the above pointers, you could minimize food poisoning or other illnesses resulting from consuming contaminated food.