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Food Preparation Hygiene
Keep food safe from kitchen to plate.
Watch
Safe food preparation basics.
Video created by EmpowerHygiene Volunteer, Denise Fang 🧡
Why this matters
Clean hands, surfaces, and ingredients stop harmful bacteria from getting into food and causing illness.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds before touching food.
- 2
Tie back long hair and roll up sleeves.
- 3
Wash fruits and vegetables under running water.
- 4
Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and fresh produce.
- 5
Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods.
- 6
Cook food to safe temperatures and check with a thermometer when unsure.
- 7
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
- 8
Clean counters, utensils, and hands again when you finish.
💡 Practical & quick tips
- ✓Wash hands again after touching raw meat, eggs, or the bin.
- ✓Thaw frozen food in the fridge, not on the counter.
- ✓When in doubt, throw it out.
- ✓Soap and warm water beat hand sanitiser in the kitchen.
- ✓A clean apron protects both you and the food.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- •Rinsing raw chicken, which spreads bacteria around the sink.
- •Using the same knife for raw meat and vegetables without washing it.
- •Tasting food to check if it has gone bad.
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