![1001446677.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUpPKwbHPMc5g45ndYu7UXyxm577FaSKaKACJecqkeHUk/1001446677.jpg)

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Greetings my steemit family. I believe we all are hale and hearty. May God be praised. As I brought out one yam from my kitchen to cook, peeling it I found out that majority of the yam as spoiled. Then the question popped in my head “Why do food spoil”? You can see from the pictures below the amount of spoiled yam is much more than the edible part and this is what prompted my article. ![1001456661.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNqCQZsknG7f72aQk6n71ZPUQLJbLgtGP5PrNkeE8BiGh/1001456661.jpg) In today's article, we will study the factors that cause food spoilage and how to prevent them. WHY DO FOOD SPOIL Food spoil due to the effect of microorganisms on them thereby making it unsafe for human consumption. FACTORS THAT CAUSED FOOD SPOILAGE 1. Physical factors like temperature, moisture levels, insects infestation etc. When food that is meant to stay in a humid area is being placed in a hot area, there is a tendency of the food rotting. 2. Chemical factors for example when you bite an apple and left it for a while, the part you have bitten will turn brown. 3. Microbial factors; this is commonly found in vegetables. When you pluck a fresh vegetable from the garden, within some days it will start decaying. How do we stop our food from spoilage? This will lead us to look into ways by which we can preserve our foods. WAYS BY WHICH WE PRESERVE OUR FOOD ARE: 1. By drying: We dry our foods to remove the moisture content on the food to make it last longer. Drying can be done naturally using sunlight or artificial method using a dehydrator or drying over a firewood/charcoal. Fish, vegetables, fruits etc. can be dried. ![1001456689.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWNNpLvhDCTDSaCZmSPupEcQ8tiovPKn4fVASXxF63crE/1001456689.jpg)[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/tomatoes-dried-food-eat-kitchen-4244523/) 2. Frozen: We froze our foods in the refrigerator or freezer to lender the microorganisms in the food inactive. Meat, fish etc can be frozen to extend their shelf life. ![1001456665.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSs4ydKgb4Tq11Bz9tpcnHwQkEcWgSQXpAmSTHJcP6f6P/1001456665.png)[Source](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-fridge-refrigerator-9064930/) 3. Canned: Foods like milk, tomatoes etc. is canned to limit the oxygen in the food thereby slowing the activities of microorganisms in them. ![1001456685.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQP5nKmtKoHaJ1Lvs6b5TjaCLac1zrZBgeZ6xdZhWjCsX/1001456685.jpg)[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/shelf-shop-fittings-stock-3840441/) 4. Chemical methods: Grains are majorly preserved with chemicals to prevent weevils/insects infestation. I preserve my beans by pouring the beans in a can and adding chilli 🌶 pepper to it. The presence of the chilli pepper will chase away weevils from infesting it. You can mention one food and ways you preserve it to last longer 😉. So when next you purchase foodstuffs in bulk, look for the best way to preserve them. Though some food spoilage is seasonal , they decay more during planting season. I believe you’ve learned something from this my article. I still remain my humble self @juli30, see you in my next article, bye. I hereby norminate @ikwal , @okere-blessing and @ruthjoe to participate in this contest. #writingexp114 #steemexclusive #nigeria