| Monday, June 19, 2006 |
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Quick tips for a rainy day-Part I
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Food poisoning and gastroenteritis are always on the rise during that "in-between" season when we move from summer to the monsoons.
The high humidity in the atmosphere, in cities like Mumbai, promotes the growth of disease causing bacteria.
Here are some pointers to keep in mind to avoid falling ill this rainy season.
Eating out
Food, like dal, soup, pasta, that is supposed to be served hot must be served PIPING hot. Often, pasta is served lukewarm, which makes it an ideal environment for bacteria growth. When placing your order, specify that you want it very hot.
Similarly, frozen foods like ice-cream must be served COMPLETELY frozen. At home, make sure you do not refreeze melted ice-cream as it becomes a good environment for baterial growth. This could lead to food poisoning.
Avoid eating raw food in the form of salads; you never know if they have been washed, cleaned and stored well at the right temperature before being served to you. Opt for stir fried vegetables.
Chutneys and sauces are usually allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours in restaurants and are loaded with harmful microorganisms. Avoid if possible. Coconut chutney should be avoided because it has a lot of nutrients which aid the growth of bacteria.
Avoid milk products, especially mithai, if the restaurant or outlet you are buying them from does not store/display them at controlled temperatures. This is because the high sugar content and the milk together provide a suitable environment for bacterial growth.
Avoid eating at roadside eateries especially those serving pani puri or bhel puri as the chutneys may lack hygiene and could be the cause of an upset stomach or even food poisoning.
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posted by Dipali @ 5:55 AM   |
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