News — kitchen hygiene

If you cook meat, poultry or fish even once a month, the safest option is to use at least 2 separate chopping boards: one for raw food and one for cooked or ready to eat food. Food safety guidance in the UK is clear that separating raw and cooked foods sharply reduces the risk of cross contamination from bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter. Why separate chopping boards for raw and cooked food? When you cut raw chicken on a board, tiny amounts of raw juice stay in the knife marks. Even after a quick rinse, those grooves can hold bacteria....

The best cutting board for raw meat and vegetables is a two board setup that keeps meat and veg completely separate. In practical terms, that means using one board of at least 45x35cm for raw meat and a second board of at least 38x28cm for vegetables, such as the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) paired with the Medium Bamboo Board (38x28cm, 1.2kg) or the Bamboo Double Pack that includes both sizes. Why you should never use one board for both raw meat and vegetables If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this: raw...

If you want the best antibacterial cutting boards for raw meat in the UK, the safest option is to use a dedicated board for meat with naturally antimicrobial wood such as bamboo or acacia, and clean it with hot water and soap within 10 minutes of use. In practical terms, that means using a separate, generously sized board like the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) or Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg) only for raw meat and washing and drying it thoroughly every time. What makes a cutting board “antibacterial” for raw meat? No cutting board is magically...

If you want the easiest board to keep clean day to day, a Moso bamboo cutting board usually needs about 30 seconds of hand washing and 1 oiling every 4 to 6 weeks, while a thicker wooden board such as acacia often needs a slightly deeper scrub and oiling every 3 to 4 weeks. Both can stay hygienic for 5 to 10 years if you clean and dry them correctly. Wooden vs bamboo cutting board cleaning: quick answer For most busy home cooks, bamboo is the simpler option to keep clean. The surface is slightly harder and less porous than...