Lunar New Year Cuisine: Ensuring Safety and Preserving Traditions

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated by billions of people around the world. While there are regional and cultural variations in the new year traditions, food plays a central role in these festivities, with many dishes enjoyed for their symbolic significance, such as prosperity, longevity, and happiness. However, amid the grand celebrations, food safety is a critical aspect that is often overlooked.

Hotpot Safety Tips

Hotpot, also known as steamboat, is a popular dish enjoyed during the  Lunar New Year celebrations. It brings people together around a bubbling  pot of broth, where various ingredients like meats, seafood, vegetables  and noodles are cooked right at the table. With everyone contributing to  the cooking process, sharing this meal represents the togetherness and  completeness of a family reunion. The round shape of the pot also  symbolises unity and is associated with the concept of wholeness.

While culturally significant, the communal dining experience and handling  of raw ingredients can pose various food safety risks. To keep everyone  safe and healthy, consider these food handling tips when preparing  hotpot:

1. Make sure to thaw raw meat, seafood and other frozen ingredients  in your fridge, not on the countertop at room temperature. Place  uncooked items below and away from ready to eat food.
2. Use separate utensils and cutting boards when handling raw  ingredients and cooked food. Soup bases and broths should be  actively boiling and visibly steaming, typically around 100°C. Monitor  the temperature throughout the meal and adjust the heat as needed.
3. Avoid overcrowding the pot by adding ingredients in small batches to  ensure they are fully cooked and safe for consumption.
4. Use communal utensils to scoop food from the shared pot.

Yusheng Preparation Tips

Yusheng is another traditional dish for celebrating the new year,  particularly in Chinese communities across Southeast Asia, including  Malaysia and Singapore. This vibrant and symbolic dish consists of raw  fish, typically salmon, along with a variety of colourful ingredients such as  shredded carrot, radish, pickled ginger, pomelo, and cucumber. It is  topped with peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy crackers and a flavourful plum  sauce. Families gather around the table, each with a pair of chopsticks to  toss the ingredients while exchanging blessings for the new year.

Food Safety Tips for Yusheng

The fish in this dish holds significance in Chinese culture. The word “yu”  means “fish” and is a homophone for “abundance”, symbolising growing  prosperity for the year ahead. However, the consumption of raw seafood  raises food safety concerns, as it can carry harmful bacteria and parasites  if not properly prepared.

Consider the following food safety tips for  preparing and enjoying Yusheng:

1. Purchase quality fish and check for any signs of spoilage, such as  discoloured flesh, a sour smell or slimy texture. 
2. Store the raw fish in the refrigerator at or below 5°C in a well sealed  container until it is ready to be plated. 
3. After the toss, use clean serving utensils to serve and avoid dipping  personal chopsticks back into the dish. 
4. Ensure the dish is consumed promptly after preparation. Do not  leave at room temperature for extended periods.

The preparation of festive dishes during the Lunar New Year is a  cherished activity in many households, often involving family members  and relatives coming together to cook. It’s not just about the food; it’s  about bonding, creating memories and sharing recipes that have been  passed down through generations.

To ensure cleanliness and prevent cross contamination, it is crucial to  follow proper hygiene practices in the kitchen. Here are some tips to  maintain a safe cooking environment:

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before, during,  and after cooking. 
2. When preparing food in bulk, wear disposable gloves and change  frequently. Avoid cooking for others if you are unwell.
3. Regularly clean cooking utensils, countertops and kitchen  appliances. Properly sanitise any surfaces that come into contact  with raw ingredients.

The Lunar New Year is a time for large-scale gatherings and celebrations,  often featuring grand meals. Proper preparation and storage of food are  essential to maintain the safety and quality of traditional dishes throughout  the festivities. Remember the following food handling tips: 

Food Preparation:

• When preparing food ahead of big reunions, ensure it is covered  and stored appropriately.
• Avoid leaving high risk food and perishable items out at room  temperature for more than 3 hours. 

Storing Leftovers:

• Ensure that cooked food is properly cooled before being stored in  food grade containers. 
• Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them if they  are not likely to be consumed within this period. 
• For large amounts of leftovers, consider labelling the containers with  the date of preparation.  

Reheating:

• Do not consume food left within the temperature danger zone  (5-60°C) for more than 4 hours.
• Reheat food until it reaches 75°C or hotter in the centre. Liquids,  such as soups and sauces, should be brought to a rolling boil.

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, it’s important to keep food  safety in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone.  During this festive time, families come together to cook and share a  variety of traditional dishes. By following proper food preparation, storage  and hygiene practices, we can greatly reduce the risk of contamination  and avoid many foodborne illnesses.