How to preserve food in humid weather

Master, Doctor Nguyen Thuy Linh, Deputy Head of the Department of Nutrition, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said that humid weather is a favorable condition for mold to attack food, reducing nutritional value, leading to digestive diseases, poisoning... causing harm to health.

Most types of mold contain aflatoxin, a substance that is extremely toxic to human health. Mold grows on vegetables, rice, beans, peanuts, etc., changing the color, taste, and reducing quality and nutrition. Mold and bacteria of all kinds quickly rot fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, aflatoxin is also considered the cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, Aflatoxin is very resistant to heat. Among foodstuffs such as peanuts, corn, lotus seeds... peanuts have the highest rate of mold and contain this toxin. When roasting moldy peanuts even at very high temperatures, the mold spores are destroyed but their toxins are not completely destroyed.

"Therefore, food hygiene and safety during the wet season must start from the preservation and processing stages to daily cooking utensils," said the doctor.

Storing food in the refrigerator

Purchased food should be cleaned and wrapped in plastic bags, plastic boxes or glass containers with tight lids. Then, store the food in the freezer or refrigerator. Leftover food when stored in the refrigerator should also be wrapped in plastic bags to avoid odors spreading to other items in the refrigerator.

Food should be classified scientifically in the refrigerator. Do not mix raw food with processed food, and do not defrost food too many times.

In addition, you must pay attention to cleaning the refrigerator regularly to prevent bacteria from accumulating, causing food contamination and harming your health.

Do not leave food overnight

Absolutely do not leave food overnight. For ready-to-eat food, eat it after buying. Cooked food should only be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Vegetables, tubers, and fruits should be used when fresh, avoid leaving them in the refrigerator for too long.

Limit food storage

According to nutritionists, food is best consumed when it is fresh. After a period of storage, it also loses some of its nutrients. In addition, when the humidity is too high, mold spores and bacteria in the air thrive. Therefore, in humid weather, it is best to limit the amount of food stored in the refrigerator.

Cleaning kitchen utensils

After washing, dishes and chopsticks should be spread out to dry quickly. Avoid using wooden utensils. Rinse cutting boards, bowls, and chopsticks with hot water to kill bacteria and mold. Never use the same cutting board to cut raw and cooked foods.

Store food in a cool place

One of the effective ways to preserve food in humid weather is to keep food on high shelves, in glass containers, tightly covered, to avoid air contact with food. Food should be placed in a place where sunlight shines to minimize the growth and development of mold.

Use a dehumidifier

Use a dehumidifier to ensure your home is always dry, avoiding mold or bacteria on humid days. In addition, you can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air, where food is often stored to prevent mold from growing.