By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Forget any moans over this summer's humidity and heat waves _ experts say people should be shifting their concerns to the potential for food poisoning.
Amid the rising temperatures, foodstuffs turn bad easier, and the public is being advised to avoid the sloppy handling of food in order to avoid sickness.
According to research by a consumer group and the Korea Food and Drug Administration, people are not paying enough attention to food safety.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 housewives across the country, found that many believe simple refrigeration is enough to prevent decay and harmful processes associated with food.
Separate research conducted on 50 households in Seoul detected an average of 68,000 germs per gram of food in 43 of the sample. Among the tainted items were hams, sausages and tofu.
Celia Kim of Fleishman Hillard, the promoter of leading cereal maker Kellogg, claimed that people should pay more attention to food management. ``Maintenance is just as important as selecting good food,'' she said.
The company said members of the public should consider the following guidelines:
1. Cereal: Cereal is one of the most common foodstuffs on breakfast tables, especially for children. But it can attract bugs. It is best to ``seal'' the cereal package and put it in a plastic container to store in a cool, dry place.
2. Ham and sausages: Leftover ham and sausages are best preserved by dousing vinegar on the cutoff side and then wrapped with cellophane. Adding butter to the surface can prevent drying.
3. Butter: Wrap butter with plastic or other sealing materials and store at below 2 degrees Celsius in the short term and -18 degrees Celsius for longer-term periods. But butter should be eaten within 60 days for maximum safety and taste.
4. Canned foods: Foodstuffs stored inside cans should be completely emptied once opened. For shellfish, corn and beans, dispose of the liquid in which they are contained and wash the contents with cold water before storage.
5. Cookies and soda: Place a small sugar cube beside cookies in a sealed plastic bag. The sugar will absorb moisture and make them crisp. Place soda bottles upside down to prevent gas leakage.