3 Things to Consider Before Buying Your Next Ready-to-eat

Nowadays, most people rely on packaged or ready-to-eat meals for convenience, often without considering safety aspects, especially the dangers posed by disease-causing organisms and various chemicals that may contaminate the food. Therefore, when choosing food to consume, one should pay more attention and follow the following principle:

1. Nutrition - Choose fresh food with good nutritional value.

2. Food safety - Choose clean and safe food from reliable sources, free from contamination, and not at risk of causing illness or toxicity.

3. Value for money - Choose local, seasonal food, as it is usually healthy and affordable.

Additionally, one should observe the food's appearance, checking for changes such as gas bubbles or color alterations. If possible, smell the food for any unusual odors, such as a sour or rotten smell, and avoid purchasing it if these are present.

Choose food from clean, safe eateries and street food vendors, who store well-cooked food and fresh vegetables in clean containers. Cooked food should be heated periodically to kill any harmful organisms. Avoid mixing cooked and raw food, and use seasonings with a registered food recipe number (FDA). Store these in clean, covered glass or white glazed containers.

Drinking water and beverages should be stored in sealed containers, while clean dishes should be stored in an organized manner.

Cooks, sellers, and servers should wear clean clothing and avoid using their hands to handle food directly.

Before choosing food, observe the Clean Food Good Taste symbol on the packaging. Importantly, follow the principles of eating hot food, using a serving spoon, washing hands, and consuming freshly cooked food. If dealing with leftover food, store it in a refrigerator and reheat it thoroughly before consumption.

Written by Dr. Danai Tiwanond, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health

Siam Rath Newspaper