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7 Common Kitchen Mistakes That Could Be Making You Sick

Published

11 months 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

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.