News — food safety

If you are asking whether bamboo cutting boards are safer against E. coli than plastic, several independent studies suggest they can be. Research from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Georgia has shown that wooden boards, including bamboo, can reduce live E. coli on the surface within a few hours, while plastic boards often retain higher counts in knife scars unless they are disinfected with hot water above 77°C. What studies show on bamboo cutting boards and E coli? So what do the studies actually show on bamboo and E. coli? In controlled tests comparing wood and plastic...

If you follow the standard UK colour coded kitchen system, the correct chopping board colour for cooked meat is yellow. In many home kitchens though, the safest approach is to keep one clearly dedicated board for cooked meat, ideally a darker shade that hides knife marks, and never use it for raw meat or raw vegetables. Why board colour matters for cooked meat Colour coding is about food safety, not fashion. Once meat is cooked, it should never touch the same surface you use for raw meat or unwashed produce. Any bacteria that move from raw food to cooked food...

If you cook most days, you should plan to replace a chopping board once deep grooves are 2 mm to 3 mm deep or the board is 5 to 10 years old, whichever comes first. For heavy meat prep or very deep cuts, it can be safer to replace a cutting board every 3 to 5 years. The key rule: if you can feel your knife catching in the grooves or you cannot clean them with a brush and hot soapy water, it is time for a new kitchen board. Why chopping board grooves are a problem Every cut from...

If you want to know how to clean a chopping board after raw meat, the safest method is: rinse within 2 minutes of use, scrub for at least 30 seconds with hot soapy water, then disinfect with a food safe solution and let the board air dry upright for a minimum of 20 minutes. Done properly, this routine helps reduce common food bugs like salmonella and campylobacter on your kitchen board. Step by step: how to clean a chopping board after raw meat Raw chicken, pork and mince can leave bacteria in every knife mark on your cutting board. Here...