The basic rules of food safety at home

Preparing food at home becomes an important issue when you are pregnant.

• Choose foods carefully from shops with a high standard of cleanliness and with a high turnover of food so you know what you buy is fresh.
• Wash raw vegetables and store them away from other foods.
• Wrap or cover raw meat and store well away from other foods.
• Store eggs away from other foods.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before preparing food.
• Keep all food preparation surfaces and equipment spotlessly clean.
• Keep animals well away from where you prepare food.
• Wash all fruit and vegetables before use including pre-packed produce.
• Wash hands, knives and other equipment well after preparing raw meat.
• Use a separate chopping board for raw meat.
• Destroy any germs in food by cooking thoroughly.
• Cook meat and poultry thoroughly. Make a small cut to check the meat is completely cooked – there should be no pink meat or blood visible and the juices that trickle out should be clear.
• Once food is cooked, eat quickly and do not re-heat.
• Cool foods quickly and store food well chilled.

Reviewed by the babyworld midwife