Take simple steps to avoid food poisoning

Every year around 100 people in Waverley report getting ill from food poisoning, often with the number of cases increasing as the weather gets warmer and barbeques and eating outside become more frequent.

Do not worry unduly about food poisoning, there are some simple common sense steps people can take to avoid getting ill.

Just storing, handling and cooking food properly will minimise the risk.

How can you keep food safe?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that following simple principles will help people to keep food safe.

Proper cooking will kill food bugs

It's especially important to make sure poultry, pork, burgers and sausages are cooked all the way through. If there's any pink meat or the juices have any pink or red in them, germs could be lurking!  Check your food is steaming hot all the way through before serving.

Avoiding cross-contamination

Cross contamination prevents bacteria from spreading between foods and from contaminated surfaces or utensils. 

• Make sure you store raw meat covered and at the bottom of the fridge, below and away from ready-to-eat food.
• Never use the same chopping board for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods without washing the board and knife thoroughly first.

Clean hands in the kitchen

Clean hands are vital in the fight against food poisoning.

Keep food chilled at the right temperature

While food should also be kept at the right temperature.

• Food that needs to be chilled should be kept in the fridge
• Check that your fridge is running at the right temperature - between 0°C and 5°C.  Storage above this range can allow bacteria to grow or harmful toxins to form. 
• On a picnic, don't take food out of the fridge until the last minute and use a cool bag to keep it chilled until ready to eat.

More information

See our Food Safety web pages.

For more advice on food safety go to www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe