Have you ever had an upset stomach after consuming food from outside? Or found hair in a meal that you got from an eatery? All these are signs of poor food hygiene.
India has a dynamic street food culture, and eateries are busy every day. Here, food hygiene plays an essential part in keeping everyone healthy and safe. Poor hygiene can also cause hospitalisation, food poisoning and even infection.
This blog shares some useful information about food & hygiene, hygiene ratings, food safety and how to safeguard yourself from all the foodborne illnesses.
What is food hygiene?
Food hygiene is known as the precautions and practices that are taken when handling the serving, storage, and preparation of food products to ensure it is safe to consume.
This includes:
- Washing the utensils and hands properly.
- Cook food items at the right temperatures.
- Storing cooked and raw items separately.
- Maintaining cleanliness in the food storage and kitchen spaces.
What is a food hygiene rating?
A food hygiene rating reflects how well a food business is managed, cleaned, and kept safe. In many nations, this is required legally, but in India, FSSAI provides the hygiene ratings to manufacturers, food trucks, restaurants and even hotels.
The table below will give you a clear idea of what the food hygiene rating is based on:
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The parameters
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Checked for
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Waste management
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Safe disposal of all food waste
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Cleanliness
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Serving areas, washrooms and kitchens
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Pest control
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No presence of rodents or insects
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Storage
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Proper storage of cooked and raw food items
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Personal hygiene
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Hand washing, head covers and gloves
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Temperature
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The correct storing and cooking temperatures
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Is food hygiene the same as food safety?
Many individuals think that food safety and food hygiene are the same. That’s not true, but they are certainly connected.
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Food hygiene
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Food safety
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Part of the food safety methods.
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A broader concept that contains hygiene, etc.
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Includes cleaning surfaces, washing hands.
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Consists of stopping expiry, labelling, etc.
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Concentrates on habits and cleanliness.
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Focuses on the regulations and procedures.
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What is the importance of food hygiene?
Knowing what is food and hygiene is not enough, specifically in India, where foodborne ailments are common. Here are some reasons that make food hygiene so crucial:
- Lowers food wastage: Proper storage and hygiene can prevent food items from spoiling early.
- Prevents diseases: Clean food reduces the risk of infection, such as food poisoning, typhoid, and diarrhoea.
- Builds consumer trust: In cafes and eateries, hygiene attracts more consumers and also builds an excellent reputation.
- Safeguard vulnerable individuals: Children, older adults and even pregnant women are at a high risk from contaminated food items.
What are the key food hygiene guidelines?
To follow excellent hygiene and receive a proper food and hygiene rating, here are some guidelines:
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The guidelines
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What to do
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Wash your hands often
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Before eating, cooking and after touching raw meat
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Keep the surfaces clean
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Clean the kitchen tops, sinks and handles regularly
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Use clean utensils
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Wash cutting boards, spoons and knives after every use
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Reheat correctly
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Don’t serve cold leftovers without reheating them
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Cook thoroughly
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Avoid serving half-cooked seafood, eggs or meat
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Store food items correctly
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Use airtight containers, keep meat and dairy refrigerated
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Separate cooked and raw food
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Use separate boards for cutting meat and vegetables
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Food hygiene facts and tips for personal hygiene
Many foodborne problems don’t come from food but the individual serving or preparing it. Below are some tips and facts about personal hygiene:
Tips:
- Trim the nails and don’t wear jewellery while cooking.
- Tie back the long hair and also wear hair covers.
- Use tongs and gloves while serving food.
- Wash the towels and aprons regularly.
- Don’t serve or cook food if you’re sick or have any open wounds.
Facts:
- Dirty hands can carry a lot more germs than the toilet seat.
- A sponge used for 1 week might consist of billions of bacteria.
- Reusing the cooking oil several times can increase the risk of cancer-causing compounds.
Role of health insurance in foodborne illnesses
Here is why health insurance is important:
- Hospitalisation cover: When you suffer from food poisoning or a severe infection which requires hospital treatment, the policy can cover it.
- Diagnostic tests: Stool and blood tests needed to locate the cause of the illness can be reimbursed.
- Outpatient benefits: Some policies cover physicians’ consultation fees even without admission.
- Preventive health check-ups: Yearly tests can help track your gut health, immunity and liver function.
Conclusion
In India, where food is central to celebrations and culture, clean food means taste and safety. Follow hygiene practices, check FSSAI ratings, and maintain personal hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses.
It’s also crucial to have a critical illness insurance plan to cover medical expenses for an infection, food poisoning or other illnesses.
FAQs
What is food hygiene in simple words?
It's a way to keep all food items safe and clean by following correct methods while serving, storing and preparing them.
What is the distinction between food safety and food hygiene?
Food hygiene concentrates on habits and cleanliness, and food safety is a much bigger concept that consists of quality checks, storage rules, laws and hygiene.
Who provides food hygiene ratings in India?
FSSAI is known to offer hygiene ratings to all food businesses and eateries in the country.
Can food poisoning be covered under the health plan?
Yes. When hospitalisation or medical tests are required, most health policies cover all foodborne conditions.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.