Hygiene and food

There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid falling ill. You just need to follow some basic hygiene rules.

Good hand hygiene

• Wash your hands properly before preparing, serving or eating food.
• Wash your hands after going to the toilet or changing a child's nappy.
• Wash your hands after touching fresh vegetables or raw meat.
• Wash your hands after coming into contact with pets or farm animals, or after visiting a farm.

Food handling

• Any person who is suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting must avoid touching food.
• All fruits and vegetables should be carefully washed – particularly any that will be eaten raw.
• Take care to peel all root vegetables and skinned fruits.
• Properly cooking meat and vegetables will kill any bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.
• Prevent cross-contamination by, for example, using separate chopping boards for raw and cooked meats. To avoid cross-contamination, ensure chopping boards are thoroughly washed with soap after every use.