The Jianghu of Cooking: Need to Keep Bacteria at Bay? Safe Temperature is the Way!
Foodborne diseases, also known as food poisoning, incur significant health and economic costs worldwide. Many cases of foodborne disease occur due to food safety lapses in food preparation or handling in food service establishments or at home. A review of local food poisoning outbreak cases in 2023 suggest that improper food storage temperature is one of the most frequently found contributing factor. Food stored at the “Temperature Danger Zone” between 4°C and 60°C can allow bacteria to grow rapidly to dangerous levels, potentially leading to food poisoning.
Knowledgeable food handlers, including those who prepare food at home, can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne diseases and improve public health. With reference to the advice of the World Health Organization, the CFS has been promoting the "5 Keys to Food Safety" (5 Keys) within the local context, namely:
- Choose (Choose safe raw materials);
- Clean (Keep hands and utensils clean);
- Separate (Separate raw and cooked food);
- Cook (Cook thoroughly); and
- Safe Temperature (Keep food at safe temperature).
To echo with World Food Safety Day on 7 June, the CFS is taking the chance this year to promote the importance of proper temperature control in safeguarding food safety, which is one of the key components of the 5 Keys. We would also raise awareness on the use of the 5 Keys as the best measure in preventing foodborne diseases to food businesses and the public.
Relevant Links
Websites
- “Storage of Food” webpage
- “Hot/Cold Holding and Display of Food” webpage
- “Temperature Danger Zone and 2-hour / 4-hour rule” webpage
- “Five Keys to Food Safety” webpage
- “Safe Food for All” webpage
- “Safe Food at School” webpage
- “Safe Kitchen” webpage
Videos
- FSD 2024 Thematic Video - The Jianghu of Cooking: Need to Keep Bacteria at Bay? Safe Temperature is the Way!
- Five Keys to Food Safety (With closed captions in Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai and Urdu)
Educational Materials
- FSD 2024 thematic poster – The Jianghu of Cooking: Need to Keep Bacteria at Bay? Safe Temperature is the Way!
- Poster - Five Keys to Food Safety (In other Languages : Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai and Urdu.)
- Booklet - Understanding Five Keys to Food Safety - Advice for Food Safety at Home (In other Languages : Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai and Urdu.)