Whether you’re a homemaker managing a household or a restaurant manager overseeing a large dining establishment, it’s important to protect food from pests. Pests can easily contaminate food, posing risks like food poisoning and illnesses such as gastroenteritis and dysentery.

### Food Contamination
There are three main types of food contamination: physical, chemical, and biological.

– **Physical Contamination:** This happens when foreign objects like glass, hair, plastic, paper, or metal end up in the food.
– **Chemical Contamination:** This occurs when harmful substances, such as cleaning products or pesticides, make their way into the food.
– **Biological Contamination:** This involves the spoilage of food by disease-causing organisms. Insects and humans are common sources of this type of contamination.

### Insects and Food Contamination
Insects, as well as pests like mice and rats, can contaminate food in several ways. They might crawl on it, spreading bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They might also take bites from food, leaving behind saliva that carries microorganisms. Additionally, pests can contaminate food through their urine, droppings, dried body parts, and secretions.

### How to Avoid Contamination
1. **Proper Storage:** Store food in appropriate conditions. Refrigerate milk and milk products, freeze meat and fish, and keep dry foods like cereals and rice in the pantry.
2. **Proper Handling:** Always wash hands thoroughly and maintain cleanliness when preparing food to prevent the spread of diseases.
3. **Sealed Containers for Leftovers:** Store leftovers in tightly sealed containers to prevent pests from accessing them.
4. **Cleanliness Post-Preparation:** Clean all kitchen utensils thoroughly after use, especially knives and cutting boards used for meats, to avoid the spread of microorganisms like salmonella.

These are just a few steps to protect food from contamination. Understanding and implementing these practices can help safeguard the health of many people.