For your own good

Avoiding roadside food and buying packaged drinking products will keep you from falling sick this monsoon, says nutritionist Ritika Samadder

Monsoon are here and the cool showers, the pleasant breeze accompanied by the smell of wet earth brings respite from the scorching heat wave. Some of us may choose to sit in the comfort of our balconies and enjoy the pitter-patter, whereas the rest of us seize the opportunity to play in the puddles and invoke the child within.

In our fervour to enjoy the rains, one forgets that heavy rains bring with it excessive water logging, bacteria and viruses. The rainy reason is most conducive for water and food contamination which results in the spreading of various diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery thereby increasing our concerns for food safety.

To fully enjoy the rains without falling ill, one should try to avoid eating food from roadside vendors as the unhygienic conditions increase the risk of contamination. In case you do indulge in eating outside, be extra careful of liquid foods such as coconut water, sugar cane juice, fruit juices, shakes and smoothies as they may be stored or handled under unhygienic conditions exposing them to bacteria and germ contamination. The safe option is to choose products packaged in safe hygienic conditions such as packaged flavoured milk, shakes, drinking yogurt, coconut water and even traditional flavours like aam panna. Some of these options are available in tetra packs.

There are varied benefits of consuming aseptically packaged products

• Aseptic technology ensures removal of bacterial growth and protects it from light, air and bacteria which reduces any risk of contamination
• It locks the nutrition and retains the natural colour of the product without the use of preservatives/ additives and the product can be directly consumed from the carton
• Aseptic technology increases the shelf life of the product, hence products can be stored without refrigeration for three to six months until opened for consumption.

There are some daily food safety tips one must consider:

• Wash your hands clean before entering the kitchen and touching food.
• Keep the work area clean to prevent contamination.
• Use boiled water to prepare food.
• Try and buy packaged products to ensure safety and quality of food and beverages that you consume.
• Always look at the labels while buying any packaged food and beverage. Check the expiration date.
• Go beyond expiry date and check the nutritional information.
• Make sure that the food packets that you buy is not puffed or tampered with.