Eating outside often? These 8 simple checks could help you avoid unhygienic food

Josephine Amuzu 13:37 - 24 August 2026

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These 8 simple checks could help you avoid unhygienic food

Eating outside is convenient, but is your favourite food joint safe? Check these key food hygiene tips on handling, storage, and sanitation before you eat.

Eating outside is common among busy Ghanaians, but food hygiene should not be overlooked when choosing where to buy meals.
Check the cleanliness of the surroundings, food handling, storage, utensils and whether food is properly covered before buying.
Don't ignore strange smells, poor hygiene or questionable food handling—if something doesn't look right, it is better to walk away.

For many people, eating outside is simply part of everyday life. When work gets busy, students have classes and assignments to complete, or you are stuck in traffic and get hungry, going home to prepare a meal may not be an option. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is to stop by your favourite food joint, buy from a roadside vendor or grab something from a nearby restaurant.

From waakye and fried rice to banku, grilled meat, kelewele and fried yam, there is no shortage of food options.

But while convenience matters, so does hygiene. The food may look delicious and the place may be popular, but have you ever stopped to look at how the food is being handled, stored and served?

I know you don't have time to do all that but being a little more observant can help you make safer choices.

1. Look around before you buy

Before placing your order, take a quick look at the environment. Is the area reasonably clean? Are rubbish and wastewater lying around? Are flies constantly landing on uncovered food?

You don't need to expect perfection, especially when buying from a roadside vendor, but obvious signs of poor sanitation should make you think twice.

2. Check whether the food is covered

Ready-to-eat food should ideally be protected from dust, insects and other contaminants. If food has been sitting openly for hours with flies landing on it, that is a warning sign.

A simple cover can make a difference, so pay attention to how food is displayed while you wait.

3. Watch how the food is handled

Sometimes, you can learn a lot simply by watching the person serving you.

Are they using clean utensils? Do they handle money and immediately touch ready-to-eat food with the same hands?

Food handlers should take steps to avoid transferring dirt or germs from their hands, money or other surfaces onto food.

If you notice poor handling practices, don't be afraid to choose another option.

4. Pay attention to how food is stored

Food safety is not only about how food is cooked. How it is stored afterwards also matters. Be cautious if cooked food has clearly been left exposed for a long time, particularly in warm conditions.

Foods that need to remain hot should be kept hot, while foods that require refrigeration should be properly chilled.

5. Look at the utensils and washing area

If you are eating at a chop bar or roadside food spot, take a quick look at the plates, cups and utensils.

Are they being washed properly? Is the washing area reasonably clean? Is visibly dirty water being used repeatedly?

You may not know exactly how utensils were cleaned before you arrived, but the general condition of the washing area can give you useful clues.

6. Don't ignore unusual smells or appearances

Sometimes your senses can tell you something is wrong.

If food has an unusual smell, strange appearance or taste, don't force yourself to finish it simply because you have already paid for it. Especially with meat, check if there are no worms in it.

It is better to leave questionable food than risk becoming sick.

7. Don't assume a popular food spot is automatically hygienic

A long queue can be a sign that people love the food, but popularity does not necessarily guarantee good hygiene.

Likewise, a small roadside vendor is not automatically unhygienic. Instead of judging a food business by its size or popularity, look at the actual food-handling practices.

8. Don't be afraid to walk away

Perhaps the most important rule is simple: if something doesn't look right, you don't have to buy it.

You may be hungry, in a hurry or craving your favourite meal, but your health is more important.

Sometimes, taking a few extra minutes to find a cleaner option is worth it.

Eating outside is not going away, and it doesn't have to. For many people, buying food during the workday is convenient, affordable and sometimes the only realistic option. The goal is not to discourage people from eating at their favourite food spots, but to encourage them to pay closer attention to hygiene.

The next time you stop by your usual food joint, don't just ask yourself, “Does this look delicious?” “Does this look safe?”

That small habit could make you more conscious of the food choices you make every day. Remember, your health, your wealth!