Preparing food? Follow these five key safety steps to prevent foodborne illness!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Food safety is a major, yet continuing concern with recalls of food products and outbreaks of foodborne disease occurring at an alarming rate.

Unsafe food causes many diseases, ranging from diarrhoeal diseases to various forms of cancer. Foodborne disease is a common, costly public health problem, but it is preventable. Safe some basic safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage can help protect yourself and your family from foodborne illness.

A safe, hygienic food supply not only contributes to food and nutrition security, but also supports economy, trade and tourism.

To prevent foodborne diseases and improve health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has created five basic steps to food safety at home. The core messages of the 'Five Keys to Safer Food ' are:

• Keep clean
• Separate raw and cooked
• Cook thoroughly
• Keep food at safe temperatures and
• Use safe water and raw materials

Practice these five keys at home and lead a healthier life.