MEANING OF FOOD PURCHASING, PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION

HOME ECONOMICS J. S. S.  TWO THIRD TERM

THEME: FOOD AND NUTRITION

WEEK ONE

MEANING OF FOOD PURCHASING, PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to;

1. Explain the meaning of;
   1. Food purchasing
   2. Processing, preservation and safety

CONTENT

Meaning of Food Purchasing

Food purchasing is the process of buying food from various places of sales of food items usually open markets, supermarkets or groceries according to the needs of the number of people in the family and money at hand. Ready to eat foods are usually bought and eaten in a fast food outlet, eateries, hotels and restaurants. Readily prepared foods are also bought and taken away as desired by the consumer. Food Purchasing, Processing, Preservation and Safety

Factors to Consider when Buying Food

• Size of the family: A family of three persons will require less food than a large family of ten.
• The family food needs: it is necessary to consider the nutritional needs of the family, their food preferences, likes and dislikes. Some members may have dietary restrictions based on health.
• Food preservation and storage facilities available to the family.
• Quality of food: It is important to buy good quality foodstuff.

2. Food Processing: This is the transformation of raw ingredients, by physical or chemical means into other forms of the food. It involves activities such as mincing, liquefaction, emulsification, cooking (such as boiling, broiling, grilling), pickling and preservation, canning or jarring. These activities or combination thereof, result in the manufacture of ready-to-cook or precooked food products like confectionery, instant foods, flavoured and health drinks, pickles, jams, canned foods, purees, jellies, powders and mixes, sauced, etc.
3. Food Preservation: This involves preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi (such as yeast) or any other micro-organisms, as well as retarding the oxidation of fats that cause rancidity (spoilage of fat). Food preservation can also include processes that inhibit visual deterioration, such as the enzymatic browning (reaction in apples after they are cut), which can occur during food preparation.
4. Food Safety: Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation and storage of food in ways that prevent food-borne illness. It involves a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards. Food safety goes through the processes:

• Prevent contamination of food with pathogens which can spread from people, pets, and pest.
• Separate raw and cooked foods to prevent contaminating the cooked foods.
• Cook foods for the appropriate length of time and at the appropriate temperature to kill pathogens.
• Store food at the proper temperature.
• Use safe water and cooking materials.