Food safety in the home
Good food hygiene starts at home. Many cases of food poisoning are unwittingly caused by inadequate hygiene in the home. This can be by not washing hands after using the toilet, or after coming into contact with other people who are ill (especially those suffering with diarrhoea or vomiting) or after playing with pets. For more information about food poisoning please visit our food poisoning page.
Most food poisoning is caused by bacteria or viruses (germs), and these can be very easily spread from person to person, even on door handles, handrails and kitchen work surfaces.
It is also very important not to mix raw foods and cooked foods on the same surface, or by cutting with the same knife. Hands should always be washed before handling food using hot water, soap and drying with a clean towel. Hands should also be washed immediately after handling raw foods and eggs.
In the fridge, foods should be kept cold (buy a thermometer and check that the fridge is always kept around 5° centigrade). Always store raw foods at the bottoms of the fridge below cooked foods, and foods that you can eat without cooking. Remember never to use food that has gone past the use-by date shown on the label.
When cooking, foods should always be served piping hot and cooked thoroughly. This is important with foods such as burgers (especially at BBQs when cooking is more difficult), which should never be eaten if still pink in the middle).
Remember: Always wash hands well.
- Prevent cross-contamination.
- Keep food cold before using.
- Cook food thoroughly and serve hot.
Contact us
Public Protection Services
Environmental Health Division
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1DJ
Telephone 01922 652210