Sanitize
Keeping your kitchen clean is one of the most important parts of cooking. It helps stop the spread of germs, keeps your food safe, and makes the whole cooking process easier. Even small actions, like washing your hands before and after handling food, wiping down counters, and cleaning cutting boards, can make a big difference. It's also important to store food the right way. Raw meat should always be kept separate from fruits and vegetables to avoid cross contamination, and placing raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge helps keep it from dripping onto other foods. When your kitchen is clean and organized, it’s less stressful, and you can enjoy cooking more without worrying about messes or safety.
To keep food safe, it’s important to stop germs from spreading. Raw meat, chicken, and fish can carry bacteria, so they cant touch foods that are ready to eat, like vegetables, fruit, or bread. Always use different cutting boards and knives for raw meat and other food to avoid cross contamination. Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat and clean all surfaces after using. It’s also important to cook food to the right temperature like chicken, which needs to be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria. Doing things like disinfecting your kitchen, storing food in the right place, and cooking everything properly helps keep everyone safe when they eat.
Food safety is something everyone can do. Make sure cold foods stay cold and hot foods stay hot, especially if you're packing lunch or saving leftovers. Don’t forget to check that food smells and looks okay before eating, and don’t eat something if you're not sure about it. Keep your kitchen clean, wash your hands often, and use clean utensils and plates. These small steps help lower the risk of getting sick and make cooking and eating a lot safer for everyone.