Start them young when it comes to teaching kids about food safety

Younger children can help parents tick grocery items off the list as they pick them up in the supermarket. — Positive Parenting

Grocery shopping trips, food preparation and cooking can be a fun and educational experience when you get your little ones involved.

This is also the best opportunity to teach and demonstrate food safety and hygiene to them.

Here are some quick tips on how to teach your kids about this topic based on different situations.

Grocery shopping

Teach your child to check the expiry date of food products and to ensure that the packaging is not damaged, dirty or dented.

Food products like fruits and vegetables should be fresh.

Let them play the role of a food inspector who checks the quality of food.

The ideal sequence of grocery shopping is to get dry goods first, then soft items (e.g. fruits, vegetables), and refrigerated and frozen items last.

You can send older kids to fetch the items accordingly, while younger kids can help you tick off the grocery list.

Your child can help organise the different types of items in the cart.

For example, ask them to separate meat and seafood from fruits and vegetables.

Show them how to handle different types of food, e.g. to wash their hands after handling meat and fish.

Cooking

Your child can help to wash, measure, stir or mix food, depending on their capability.

You or another adult should always be present to supervise your child and to handle hot or sharp items.

Show your child the proper attire when preparing food.

Wear an apron, remove any accessories (like bracelets or watches) and tie back long hair.

Put on oven mitts or gloves when handling hot objects.

This way your child also gets to play “dress-up” when cooking!

Make sure your child washes their hands before and while helping you.

They can help keep the countertops clean, wash fruits and vegetables, and clean up after cooking.

Teach them to prevent cross-contamination by using different containers and utensils for raw and cooked ingredients.

Remind them to be extra careful with hot or sharp objects, and to not run or play roughly in the kitchen.

Older children can help you wipe any spills immediately.

Gadgets should be put away while cooking to avoid distraction.

Storing food

Tell them where to keep different types of food.

For example, milk, eggs and vegetables should be kept in the fridge, while dry foods like rice, cereal and legumes should be stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature.

Your child can help you store foods after shopping.

Inform your child that cooked foods or meal leftovers have to be stored in the fridge within two hours after cooking and cannot be kept longer than two days.

But frozen food can be kept for three months in a standard home freezer.

When we talk about food safety and hygiene, it is not only limited to when we eat.

The principles of food safety and hygiene begin in the market and continue in the kitchen, even before the food arrives on the dining table.

One final tip: start by teaching your little one proper handwashing as it is one of the most important aspects of food safety and hygiene.

Dr Cheah Whye Lian is a nutritionist and associate professor at University Malaysia Sarawak. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.