FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY

“ The quality of the food is what we recognize is the problem.” Catherine Bertini

Food quality is the quality characteristics of food that is acceptable to consumers

This includes external factors as appearance (size, shape, colour, gloss, and consistency), texture, and flavour

Of these two, color is by far the most important. Consumers expect meat to be red, apple juice to be light brown and clear, orange juice to be orange, eggs to be bright yellow-orange, and so on.

Size and Shape Depending on the product, consumers expect foods to have certain sizes and shapes.For example, consumers have some idea of what an ideal french fry should look like, or an apple, or a cookie. Size and shape are easily measured.

TEXTURAL FACTORS Consumers expect gum to be chewy, crackers to be crisp, cookies to be soft. The texture of food refers to the qualities felt with the fingers, the tongue, or the teeth.

Always read the label of any food you are buying for you and your family.

“ Food safety involves everybody in the food chain.” Mike Johanns

Food safety's about more than keeping your hands away from a whirring food processor blade — it means knowing how to avoid spreading bacteria, safe shopping, and more

Start at the Supermarket You have your shopping list in one hand and that shopping cart with the bad wheel in the other. But where should you start and how do you know which food is safe? Take a peek at these tips:

When buying packaged meat, poultry (chicken or turkey), or fish, check the expiration date on the label; Don't buy or use fish or meat that has a strong or strange odor. Follow your nose and eyes; Check eggs before buying them. Make sure that none of the eggs are cracked and that they are all clean;

In the Kitchen

Ready to cook, but, first of all you have to prevent the spread of bacteria while you are preparing food. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before preparing any food. Never put cooked food on a dish that was holding raw meat, poultry, or fish. Wash dirty dish towels in hot water.

Put the food in the fridge and wash all the dishes.

Presentation made by Mălina