News — Deer & Oak

If you want the safest and most practical kitchen setup, the best approach is to use at least 2 separate chopping boards: one kept strictly for raw meat, poultry and fish, and a second for ready to eat food like bread, fruit and cooked dishes. This simple change can cut your cross contamination risk dramatically and helps you follow Food Standards Agency guidance at home without any fuss. Why separate chopping boards matter in a real kitchen Raw meat, especially chicken, can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. These can survive on a damp chopping board for several hours....

If you want to prevent cross contamination on chopping boards, the single most effective habit is to use at least 2 separate boards every time you cook: one for raw meat and fish, and one for ready to eat foods like bread, fruit and salad. In a busy family kitchen, many people find that a 3 board system (raw meat, cooked foods, vegetables) cuts the risk of food poisoning by keeping bacteria and allergens away from foods that are eaten cold. Why chopping boards matter for cross contamination Every time you cut raw chicken, beef or fish, bacteria such as...

If you want to handle raw chicken safely, the recommended chopping board colour is red, used only for raw meat and poultry. In a colour coded kitchen system, raw chicken should always go on a red board to cut the risk of cross contamination and food poisoning. Why colour matters for raw chicken Raw chicken can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella, so it needs strict separation from ready to eat food. A colour coded system makes this simple, even when you are tired or in a rush. Red board for raw meat and poultry such as chicken, turkey,...

Yes, you can use a wooden chopping board safely, including for raw meat, as long as you clean it within 5 minutes of use, let it dry fully for at least 8 hours, and oil it every 4 to 6 weeks. Modern research from food safety bodies shows that well maintained wooden boards can be just as safe as plastic, and often end up with fewer live bacteria after 12 to 24 hours. Why wooden chopping boards are safe in a busy kitchen Wood has natural properties that help with hygiene. On species like bamboo and acacia, moisture and bacteria...