Food Safety
How is food poisoning
prevented?
Food poisoning can be
prevented by:
understanding the role of personal
hygiene in preventing food borne illness
recognising potential sources of food
contamination
knowing the temperatures at which to
store food.
Personal hygiene
Keeping the germs away
The most important thing that you can do to keep
from getting sick is to wash your hands.
By frequently washing your hands you wash
away germs that you have picked up from other
people, or from contaminated surfaces, or from
animals and animal waste.
What happens if you do not
wash your hands frequently?
You pick up germs from other sources and
then you infect yourself when you:
touch your eyes
touch your nose or
touch your mouth.
When should you wash your
hands?
It is especially important to wash your hands:
before, during, and after you prepare food
before you eat, and after you use the bathroom
after handling animals or animal waste
when your hands are dirty, and
more frequently when someone in your home
is sick.
What is the correct way to wash
your hands?
First wet your hands and apply liquid or
clean bar soap.
Next rub your hands vigorously together
and scrub all surfaces.
Continue for 10-15 seconds.
Rinse well and dry your hands.
When preparing and serving
food:
all food handlers should wash hands
thoroughly first
tie hair back
keep fingernails short and clean
use clean utensils rather than hands
wherever possible
keep food preparation surfaces clean
When preparing and serving
food:
wash spoon after taste testing
wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly
before eating / preparing
ensure that all utensils are in good repair
(no chips, rust, etc)
do not prepare food when sick
do not cough or sneeze near food.
Wash hands after coughing or sneezing
When preparing and serving
food:
clean food preparation surfaces regularly
avoid excessive handling of food
have separate serving utensils
cover all food waiting to be served
cover all cuts and scratches with a
visible waterproof cover when preparing
food,
If children are involved in
cooking observe the following:
assist in helping to wash their hands
thoroughly before cooking, including
fingernail scrubbing
do not allow anyone who is sick to cook
tie children’s hair back
At all times adults should wash
hands:
after changing nappies and toileting disabled
students and younger children
after going to the toilet
after sneezing or coughing
before food preparation
after scratching or touching hair
before assisting children at mealtimes
before eating
As Often As You Can.