NAFDAC advises to cook food upto 60 degrees before consumption #nigeria

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to cook their foods
up to 60 degrees before consumption, to prevent infection.
Mrs Benedicta Obaseki, the Assistant Chief Regulatory
Officer, Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Directorate of the
agency, said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to her, poorly cooked food can cause infection,
leading to diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid
and cholera.
She said that the right temperature for food was between 5
degrees and 60 degrees Celsius, adding that all cooked and
perishable foods should be properly refrigerated and not
stored for too long, even in the required temperature.
Obaseki said since food is a basic necessity of life, people
must consume food that is safe, nutritious and tasty, adding
that poor food hygiene practice predisposed people to
infections and illnesses.
"Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable foods and
all cooked food should be kept hot more than 60 degrees
Celsius prior to serving and consumption.
"A study done in the United States has suggested that
improper food handling contributes to approximately 97 per
cent of food-borne illnesses in food service establishments
and homes."
The regulatory officer further advised that meat, poultry,
eggs and sea foods should be thoroughly cooked, adding
that the water used in boiling these sources of protein
should be clear and not pink when boiled.
She also said that stews and soups should be boiled at 70
degrees Celsius.
On food storage, Obaseki said cooked foods should be
properly separated from raw food, to prevent cross
contamination.
She also emphasised the need for proper hand washing
before cooking and after touching raw foods, to avoid
infection.