May Day holiday is coming soon. When it comes to holidays, many people think of crowded tourist attractions. Many people take advantage of the holidays to go out and explore. However, today we are not talking about tourist attractions. Instead, let's talk about the "roadside stalls" near the attractions. When it comes to roadside stalls, many people think of popular foods like big stalls, spicy hot pot, grilled skewers, and pancake wraps. Many people believe that the food at roadside stalls is delicious, even though it may not be hygienic. They don't eat it frequently, so they don't really care. Some people also say that even the food in hotels can have problems, and with so many food safety issues nowadays, who is there to regulate? As long as it's tasty, it's fine. So, are roadside stalls clean or not? Let's take a look together:
Stale Food Ingredients
Many ingredients used in roadside stalls have been processed. For example, formaldehyde treatment can improve the texture of seafood, animal blood, tofu, and other foods. Some ingredients come from illegal workshops, which are not only unhygienic but also unsafe. Many street vendors use nitrate salts to soak meat in order to preserve its freshness, vibrant color, and good texture. However, consuming excessive nitrate salts can cause acute food poisoning. Regular consumption can also increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, when we eat grilled meat, we should not only focus on its vivid color. Something that looks particularly bright red may not necessarily be good. In addition, the meat must be thoroughly cooked to fully kill any bacteria.
Stale Cooking Oil
Street vendors generally use cheap oil or oil that does not meet the quality standards. In order to save costs, they often repeatedly heat the oil at high temperatures, resulting in the oil becoming burnt and blackened. This undoubtedly increases the content of carcinogens and harmful substances. In addition, fried foods are usually cooked at high temperatures for a very short time. They often appear golden and crispy on the outside but are not fully cooked on the inside. This not only fails to effectively kill pathogenic microorganisms in the food, but also increases the risk of diseases such as intestinal parasites. Moreover, the repeated use of cooking oil can generate "free radicals," which can cause premature aging and damage to the liver, digestive tract, stomach, and intestines, and even lead to cancer. Many unscrupulous street vendors often use gutter oil to fry food.
Repeated Use of Cooking Water
Harmful substances such as nitrite and oxalate can accumulate in the water. Many foods are cooked at low temperatures for a short period of time. Some foods may not be heated enough, posing a hidden risk of bacterial survival.
Unclean Food Containers
Many street vendors use containers that have not been disinfected and are washed by hand. Disposable chopsticks and napkins may not meet hygiene standards.
Therefore, I suggest that for the sake of our health, we should try to avoid eating at roadside stalls to prevent food poisoning. It's better to eat at places with hygiene permits. Let's not prioritize temporary satisfaction and instead focus on the long-term effects on our health.
