News — kitchen hygiene

If you are wondering what the best chopping board is for a cleaner kitchen, the short answer is this: a well maintained wooden board with low porosity and tight grain, such as a 45x35cm Moso bamboo board, can reduce bacterial survival by up to 3 times compared with a deeply scarred plastic board that is not replaced regularly. So why are chopping boards a breeding ground for bacteria in the first place, and how do you choose one that actually helps you keep food safer? Why are chopping boards a breeding ground for bacteria? Chopping boards and cutting boards sit...

No, you should not use the same chopping board for raw and cooked food unless you clean it with hot soapy water and disinfect it properly between uses, every single time. The safest and most practical solution is to keep at least two separate boards in your kitchen: one for raw meat, poultry and fish, and one for cooked food and ready to eat items. Why using one chopping board for raw and cooked food is risky Raw meat and poultry can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli. If you use the same chopping board for raw...

If you prepare raw meat at home more than twice a week and want the safest, most durable setup, a dedicated non porous plastic board like OXO is usually the most practical day to day choice, while a thick end grain hardwood board such as John Boos is better for heavy butchery and long term durability when you are willing to oil and care for it. Many home cooks in the UK find the best balance is one plastic board for raw meat and a separate pre oiled wooden board, such as a 45x35cm Deer & Oak bamboo or acacia...

If you want one clear answer: the best cutting board set for meat and veg is a 2 board system that keeps raw meat and fresh produce separate. In our range, that means the Deer & Oak Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK), which pairs a 45x35cm board for meat with a 38x28cm board for veg at £49.99. Why you need a separate cutting board set for meat and veg Raw chicken on Monday, salad prep on Tuesday, same board, quick rinse under the tap. Sound familiar? It is exactly how cross contamination happens. A dedicated cutting board set for meat and...