chef handling fresh veggies

Proper food handling

What food hygiene rules should I follow at home to keep my family safe?

There are a few rules to follow when it comes to food hygiene at home: keep everything clean, store your food appropriately, cook it thoroughly, watch your food temperatures, use clean water.

Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can cause more than 200 different diseases – ranging from diarrhoea to cancers, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

There are many practical things we can do at home when it comes to how we store and prepare food. Making sure we know and use a few basic rules of thumb in the kitchen can stop us getting sick and keep our loved ones safe from foodborne disease.

Pietro Stella, an EFSA veterinary scientist.

You can even print out this helpful checklist and keep it in your kitchen as a quick reminder:

  • Keep Clean
    • Wash your hands before handling food and often during food preparation
    • Wash your hands after going to the toilet
    • Wash and sanitise all surfaces and equipment used for food preparation
    • Protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals
  • Separate Raw and Cooked
    • Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods
    • Use separate equipment and utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handing raw foods
    • Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods
  • Cook Thoroughly
    • Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood
    • Bring foods like soups and stews to boiling to make sure that they havereached 70°C. For meat and poultry, make sure that juices are clear, not pink. Ideally, use a thermometer
    • Reheat cooked food thoroughly
  • Keep Food at Safe Temperatures
    • Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours
    • Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable food (preferably below 5°C)
    • Keep cooked food piping hot (more than 60°C) prior to serving
    • Do not store food too long even in the refrigerator
  • Defrost safely
    • Some food is safe to cook from frozen. Check the packaging for cooking instructions
    • The safest way to defrost frozen food is in the fridge
  • Use clean water and safe raw materials
    • Use clean water or treat it to make it safe
    • Select fresh and wholesome foods
    • Choose foods processed for safety, such as pasteurized milk
    • Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if eaten raw
    • Do not use food beyond its expiry date.
Vegetable washing