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

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