MoPH advises public on safe food preparation, storage and ordering during summer

Doha, Qatar - As summer temperatures soar above 40°C, Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is advising citizens to follow strict guidelines for safe food preparation, storage, and ordering to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.

The ministry stressed the importance of proper refrigeration and handling of perishable foods, as high temperatures in Qatar can promote bacterial growth and food spoilage. On social media, the MoPH outlined several key recommendations for consumers.

Firstly, before handling food, individuals should wash their hands thoroughly. Food should be kept separate, with raw and cooked items kept apart to prevent cross-contamination. Frozen foods should be thawed in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature. Anyone experiencing symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea should avoid food preparation altogether.

For safe food storage, the MoPH recommends keeping refrigerated foods at 4°C or below and hot foods at 65°C or above. Food should not be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours, and thawed foods should not be refrozen.

When ordering food, the ministry urged consumers to only choose licensed restaurants. Upon delivery, hot food should be consumed while hot and cold food should be consumed while cold. The food should be tightly sealed and wrapped to protect it from contamination.

Finally, the MoPH advised promptly refrigerating leftovers and reheating cooked food thoroughly before eating.