Monsoons don’t just symbolize all things good – cool and pleasant weather, the seductive fragrance of rain-kissed earth and the Godsend opportunity to gorge on masala chai and dalwadas … they also ring-in food spoilage and ill-health if timely precautions are not taken. Read on to know the dos and don’ts in this regard.

For those with a poetic bent of mind monsoons epitomize a fresh, green and rain-kissed environment; for the practical souls rains provide a much-needed respite from the sultry heat of the summer; but for the householder rains mean a threat to food safety and hygiene owing to the thriving of mould, fungus and worms; and also food-induced diseases. 

If you fall in the last category and are anxious as to how to alleviate the threat of food spoilage and illness of family members then your search ends here! Foodism through this blog shares some precautions that can nip food spoilage and ill health in the bud.

A FEW STEPS TOWARDS FRESH, HYGIENIC AND HEALTHY FOOD

• Wash veggies thoroughly as some of them may house tiny insect larvae in their crevices; in fact we’d counsel going a step further and using a vegetable wash during monsoons as an additional safety measure. 
• Post washing the veggies (and fruits too); dry them properly; store them in paper bags in separate sections in the refrigerator and hey then don’t commit the cardinal sin of forgetting about them altogether! Keep checking on their well-being and in case you come across a rotting element then ruthlessly dispose of it. Remember that adage – One apple spoils the entire basket…?
• Another must-do for this season is keeping your food stock in glass or stainless steel airtight containers. Pray why…you may well ask? Well, elementary dear Watson! Bacteria thrive owing to the moisture in the air during the monsoon so capping your food in air-tight jars ensures this air doesn’t touch your crisp snacks. Do remember to store items like salt or sugar in glass containers to nullify the risk of moisture spoiling their consistency. 
• An unclean refrigerator is a breeding ground for fungus or harmful bacteria so do clean your refrigerator regularly during monsoons. Clean the shelves with a solution of vinegar, baking soda and warm water and don’t forget to dry them thoroughly too! Grandma’s Tip – Keep a small container with baking soda in one corner of the refrigerator to reduce the odour and absorb the excess moisture. 
• Refrain from keeping your food out during the rainy season as the excess moisture can easily spoil food items. 
• Ascertain that you use a dry spoon for condiments like spices, flour, salt, et al.
• Adopt age-old home remedies like storing insect-repellent herbs and spices like neem, cloves, turmeric and dried chillies along with pulses and rice. You could also place a few grains of rice along with sugar and salt to keep them moisture-free as the rice grains absorb any excess moisture in the container.  

GOOD FOOD CONSUMPTION HABITS

• Up your intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables during the monsoon as they are the freshest produce and help boost your immunity thereby organically fending off any harmful diseases.
• Include herbs and spices like basil, ginger, black pepper, turmeric and clove as not only do they keep you warm and cosy and liven up a gloomy monsoon day but also up your immunity quotient.  
• In case you are a bakery product buff then a golden rule to follow during monsoons is to consume them on the very same day you purchase them as bakery items are extremely prone to attract moulds 
• Gorge on soups and hot beverages like the evergreen masala chai!
• Abstain from excessive consumption of fried items. 
• Strictly avoid street food. 
• As monsoons are the time when fishes (especially saltwater fish) lay eggs (which are a tad difficult to digest) refrain from including fish in the menu 
• Cooking with leftover oil is a strict no-no in this season as it can trigger stomach infections. 

Go ahead and make the most of the romantic monsoon season by - revelling in the fresh and nurtured surroundings; soaking in the fragrance of the rain-kissed earth; indulging in seasonal fruits and veggies like pineapples, pears, bottle gourds, bitter gourd and fresh herbs; listening to Bollywood Rain Numbers; bingeing on movies; going on long drives …. Just remember the pointers given in this blog and avoid getting too wet in the rain, as it might make you sick.

Happy Monsoon!