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7 Common Kitchen Mistakes That Could Be Making You Sick

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, where delicious meals are created and shared with loved ones.

Even well-meaning cooks can make mistakes that turn a good meal into a health risk. It’s not just restaurant food that can make you sick — home-cooked meals can too.

To keep your food safe, here are seven common kitchen mistakes to avoid.

Not washing your hands properly

We all know we should wash our hands. But let’s be honest — how many of us actually do it thoroughly every single time?

Not washing your hands properly after handling raw meat, poultry, or fish can spread harmful bacteria all over your kitchen. The key is to wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching raw ingredients.

Also, be mindful of what you touch afterward, like taps, oven handles, or fridge doors, because you don’t want to spread germs across the kitchen.

Defrosting meat and poultry on the counter

Defrosting food on the kitchen counter might seem convenient, but it can lead to bacteria growth, especially in warm weather and make you sick. Always defrost meat, poultry, and fish in the fridge to keep them safe.

A handy tip: place them on the bottom shelf to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other foods.

Not replacing dish sponges and cloths

The sponge by your sink might seem harmless, but it can collect bacteria from moisture and food particles

Make it a habit to replace or disinfect your sponges weekly, and regularly wash dish cloths in hot water to keep them clean.

Reusing kitchen utensils without washing

If you’re using the same tongs, spatulas, or wooden spoons to handle both raw and cooked foods without washing them in between, you’re setting yourself up for cross-contamination.

Always use separate utensils or wash them thoroughly before moving from raw to cooked food to avoid spreading bacteria from raw meat to ready-to-eat dishes.

Overcrowding your fridge

A packed fridge might seem like a good idea, but overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation, uneven cooling, and even spoiled food.

It’s important to leave some space between items in your fridge so air can circulate properly. This keeps your food fresh and safe for longer periods of time.

Not washing fruits and vegetables with inedible skins

Even if you’re peeling an orange or banana, it’s important to rinse it first. Bacteria on the skin can transfer to the inside when you cut through.

A quick rinse under cool water helps prevent this.

Leaving cooked food out for too long

It’s easy to get distracted after cooking a big meal, but leaving food out for too long can lead to bacteria growth. Try to refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking, or one hour if it’s a particularly hot day.

Storing food promptly in the fridge helps keep it safe to eat later without falling sick.

By avoiding these common kitchen mistakes, you’ll not only keep your kitchen cleaner, but also help ensure the meals you prepare are safe for everyone to enjoy. A little extra attention to hygiene and food handling can go a long way in keeping your household healthy.

VANGUARD

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.