The season for feasting and merriment is here. A lot of food will be in circulation from friends and families. Both canned and raw foods will be handled more during the festivities. Most canned foods are processed and preserved and have brought some ease to preparing food in time. The working class group who are most times busy and other activities depend on canned and some raw foods for convenience.
Despite providing convenience, canned foods should be handled healthily before consuming them. On the other hand, raw foods must be handled properly before consumption due to exposure to environmental pollutants during grooming and transportation to point of sale, among others.
A nutritionist, Modupeola Akande, stated that consumption of canned foods should be minimal, adding that the secret to longevity was the consumption of locally grown fresh foods. She noted that in reality, the busy schedule of most individuals and the need to get things done quickly made it a bit hard to discard canned foods completely. Akande added that there were ways to get the proper nourishment while taking canned and raw foods.
Below are some things to watch out for handling canned, raw foods.
Medical experts have advised minimised consumption of canned foods due to the health conditions they pose. “Too much of everything is bad. Canned foods have been processed and their nutritional value is low. Try your best possible to reduce your intake of canned foods. Also, you can blend freshly grown fruits or vegetables into fruit juices which is cheaper and healthier,” says Akande.
It’s advisable to clean the surface of canned foods due to storage/transportation conditions it must have been subjected to. Opening the contents of canned foods without cleaning the surface is like cooking vegetables without washing them first. Insects or reptiles might have had contact with them. Also, when opening canned foods, especially those made from aluminium, ensure to handle them with care as they can easily cut through your hand.
A public health professional, Mmeli Isaac-Ironondu, added that canned products should be washed before opening or immediate consumption to remove dust or any transient organisms away from the surface. She added that one could wipe with a hygienic serviette. Similarly, raw foods should also be washed properly before being consumed or cooked.
Generally, foods are unsafe upon expiration or when the storage containers are swollen or with any form of kink. Discard any food items whether canned or not that have expired or have their containers deformed. For raw foods, a physical examination is important before purchase. If they are perishable foods, check if they are fresh.
“Always check the expiry date before purchase and make sure that it’s at least three to six months safe. Don’t purchase it if any part of the canned products is disfigured or compromised, check for leakages as well,” Isaac-Ironondu stated.
The storage of canned foods is important as exposure to sunlight can cause some reactions between the can and the food content. Keep canned food/drinks in a cool dry place, preferably under normal room temperature. Isaac-Ironondu said that one should ensure to prevent water from touching the canned products when stored, as the container can become rusty when water touches it. She noted that opened canned foods should be transferred to a closed-lid container first before storing them in the refrigerator.
Most solid foods in cans are immersed in liquid preservatives. When consuming foods that are preserved with liquids, the liquid content should be discarded. For canned liquid drinks, it’s best to consume from cups because you can either get the content contaminated or get a cut from the can. If you have to drink directly from the can, clean before you do so. Isaac-Ironondu added, “There are some canned foods that come in saltwater solution (brine) pour it out first before use or storage.”
The public health professional further said that most canned products have been cooked so overcooking would do more harm than good. She stated that a light fry was tolerable so one could still retain the nutrient except when otherwise stated in product usage instructions. The same applies to raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, overcooking or even cooking them at all destroys/reduces the nutritional content.
Some individuals might have allergies to ingredients contained in canned food. Make sure to check well for those ingredients especially since they can cause adverse health effects.
