Essential food safety tips this BBQ season

19 October 2016

Essential food safety tips this BBQ season

If you’re dragging out the BBQ this long weekend, public health is reminding people to remember the four Cs clean, cook, cover and chill.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board director population health, Caroline McElnay, said about 200,000 New Zealanders get sick every year from foodborne illness or food poisoning, but simple tips can help keep people safe from bugs in food.

“Before firing up the BBQ, make sure you give it a good scrub down with soap and hot water to ensure a spotless cooking surface as well as utensils,” said Dr McElnay.

“Food preparation is also key because warmer weather offers the perfect conditions for bacteria, viruses and parasites in food,” she said.

Simple tips included:
Washing hands thoroughly before food handling
Defrost any frozen foods thoroughly before cooking
Have one set of utensils for raw meat and poultry and another for cooked foods.
Precook chicken, meat patties and sausages before going on BBQ to ensure they
are thoroughly cooked through.
Don’t use the same plate to transport raw and cooked foods.

Dr McElnay said extra care should also be taken with any leftover food.

Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers within two hours of their preparation
Don’t reheat leftovers more than once
Eat leftovers within two days.

“This is also a good time to increase your overall health and wellbeing by getting out and being active, enjoying time with family and friends, eating fresh fruit and vegetables and limiting your alcohol and sugary drink intake,” she said.

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