Ensuring proper storage of food items/vegetables in creches

i. Importance of proper food storage

• Prevents contamination, spoilage, and illness among children
• Reduces food wastage and ensure food quality
• Maintains nutritional value of food items
• Unsafe storage can lead to outbreaks of diarrhoea, food poisoning, and infections in children.

ii. General principles of safe food storage

• Keep all food dry, clean, and covered.
• Use airtight containers for grains, flour, and spices.
• Store raw and cooked foods separately.
• Cooked food should be consumed within 2 hours or stored in a cool environment.
• Do not store cooked food uncovered or near waste areas, wash areas or toilets.

iii. Specific storage guidelines

iv. Maintaining hygiene in storage areas

• Clean storage racks and containers weekly with soap and warm water.
• Do not use rusted tins and damaged containers.
• Keep food off the floor.
• Check for pests, insects, and moisture.
• Pests (rats and cockroaches) in the food area are a major source of health hazards.

v. Daily checklist for creche caregivers

1. A checklist can be kept in the creche and filled in daily by the caregiver. The aspects can be:

• Are all the food items covered and clean?
• Are containers dry and pest-free?
• Is cooked food being consumed within safe time?
• Is drinking /cooking water stored safely?
• Were any spoiled items discarded today?

vi. Common mistakes to avoid

• Leave cooked food open or near waste area
• Storing grains in wet or unclean containers
• Using food with insects of foul smell
• Keeping eggs near raw vegetables.

vii. Labelling of stock

• All stored items must be labelled with date of purchase/opening.

viii. Expiry Dates and Packaging

Creche caregivers should always check- expiry or best before use date, test for seal integrity (no tampering or leakage)

ix. Reject immediately if

• Foul odour or visible mould
• Presence of worms, insects or rat droppings
• Sticky or clumped texture in dry foods
• Leakage or damage in packaging

x. Pest control

• Inspect for insects, rodents, or pests actively.
• Use mesh covers for keeping vegetables
• Use tight lid containers.