Safety Tips for Enjoying Rice Dumplings

With the approach of Dragon Boat Festival, the Centre for Food Safety today (June 13) reminded people to heed food safety when eating glutinous rice dumplings.

"For the sake of safety, consumers should always buy glutinous rice dumplings from reliable retail outlets. Don't patronise illegal hawkers," a spokesman for the centre said.

"After purchasing the dumplings, keep them in the refrigerator and consume them as soon as possible."

People should pay attention to the following safety tips on purchasing and preparing glutinous rice dumplings:

Purchase

• Buy rice dumplings from reliable retail outlets and do not patronise illegal hawkers;
• Choose rice dumplings that are securely wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Preparation

• Reheat the rice dumplings thoroughly for at least 15 minutes with the centre temperature at or above 75 degrees Celsius before consumption.

Consumption

• Consume rice dumplings after purchase as soon as possible and avoid prolonged storage;
• During storage, keep the rice dumplings in the refrigerator at or below four degrees Celsius;
• Discard all leftover rice dumplings if they have been left at room temperature for more than two hours; and
• Maintain a balanced diet. Avoid over-eating rice dumplings during the festival and limit the seasonings during consumption. Take at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables every day as rice dumplings are generally high in energy and low in dietary fibre.

Ends/Wednesday, June 13, 2007