Most people think they wash their hands and utensils properly while preparing food and that they cook meat and chicken thoroughly. The truth is, all too often, they don't. 'Don't take risks' Safe Food campaign is a powerful, visual reminder to consumers of the dangers of poor food safety behaviour, as they may often be unaware of how their day to day food preparation habits can cause themselves and others harm.

By following some simple food hygiene practices, consumers can help prevent the spread of food poisoning bacteria around the kitchen.

In a recent survey conducted by Safe Food, the research findings highlighted real food safety issues in the kitchen relating to food preparation and hygiene, with highly risky behaviours around handwashing, preventing cross-contamination via kitchen utensils such as knives and chopping boards, and inadequate care taken to ensure that the chicken and mince were properly cooked.

For example:

• 84% of people did not wash hands properly after handling raw chicken
• 72% did not properly wash the knife used in preparing raw chicken before reusing it on salad vegetables
• More than a third of what participants considered to be 'cooked' beef burgers were contaminated with raw meat bacteria
• More than half of consumers did not thoroughly wash the chopping board used to prepare raw mince before reusing it to prepare salad
• One third of participants still had raw meat bacteria contamination on their hands after preparing the meals

Tips:

• Always cook chicken and minced meat thoroughly.
• Wash hands in warm, soapy water after handling raw meat.
• Wash utensils in warm, soapy water after use with raw meat. e.g. knives, chopping boards etc
• Wash down any areas in the kitchen especially were you have prepared raw meat with hot soapy water e.g. counters, taps, sink draining board, etc.
• Always keep ready to eat salad separate from raw meat bacteria by preparing it on clean surfaces with clean hands and utensils.
• Burgers - ensure that the burger is piping hot all the way through, the juices run clear and there is no pink meat left. Cut the burger in half to confirm.

Please see the safefood online campaign website for further details Safe Food Online