According to recent research up to 80% of all food poisoning outbreaks occur in the home. Whilst some of these cases are unavoidable, the fact is that most result from a simple failure to handle food properly.
The most common faults are:-
- Not washing hands or foods
- Not cooking food properly
- Not refrigerating them promptly or correctly
- Cross contamination
However there are simple precautions that can be taken to prevent food poisoning in the home.
Storage of food
A key part of keeping food safe is keeping it properly refrigerated. Here are some simple guidelines:
- Fridges should normally be set between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius and it may be worth having a fridge thermometer so that you can check the temperature. Fridges may need to be adjusted in warmer summer months.
- Always store raw meat at the bottom of the fridge and keep cooked and raw meat separate.
- Don't put hot food into the fridge as this will cause the temperature to rise. Leave it to cool first.
- Check the Use By dates on food and do not use food past the Use By date.
- Cooked leftovers should be cooled quickly and then put into the fridge.
Cross contamination
Cross Contamination is the transfer of bacteria from foods (usually raw) to other foods. The bacteria can be transferred directly when one food touches (or drips onto) another or indirectly, for example from hands, equipment, work surfaces, of knives and other utensils. Cross contamination is one of the major causes of food poisoning.
To prevent Cross contamination:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw food
- Keep raw and cooked foods separate
- Use different chopping boards/work surfaces for raw and ready to eat food.
- Clean knives and other utensils thoroughly after use with raw food.
Cooking
Proper cooking kills food poisoning bacterial such as listeria, salmonella, E. Coli 0157 and campylobacter. It is important to cook food thoroughly especially meat. Make sure food is cooked right through and is piping hot in the middle.
When reheating food, make sure it's piping hot all the way through and do not reheat it more than once.
Personal hygiene
You can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria by observing good personal hygiene and keeping work surfaces, utensils etc. clean.
It's important to wash your hands regularly, especially:
- after visiting the toilet
- after handling raw foods
- before touching ready to eat food
And remember:
- Don't handle food when you are ill with stomach problems, such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Don't touch food if you have sores or cuts unless they are covered with a waterproof dressing.
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Date Updated: 10/12/08