Food safety in the home
These simple tips will ensure the food you cook in your home is safe for you and your family.
Keep things clean
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water after going to the toilet, before preparing food and between handling raw and cooked foods
- Keep food preparation areas and equipment clean
- Protect kitchen areas and food from pests, insects and other animals
- Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if eaten raw
- Use safe, treated water
- Regularly wash and sanitise toilets and bathrooms.
Separate raw and cooked food
- Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods
- Use separate equipment and utensils when handling raw foods
- Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and cooked foods
- Store cooked meat products above raw meat products in your refrigerator.
Temperature control
- Cook food thoroughly (at or above 60°C)
- When cooking meat and poultry, make sure juices are clear, not pink
- Promptly refrigerate all cooked and perishable food at or below 5°C
- Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours
- Reheat cooked food thoroughly
- Do not store food too long, even in the refrigerator.
Remember the golden rule: if in doubt, throw it out.
The Food Safety Information Council has more information on food safety.