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Tell Dettol your food hygiene tips and tricks to be in with a chance to win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

(324 Posts)
EmmaGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 15-Dec-16 10:29:34

We all know that nasty illnesses such as E.coli and Salmonella can spread around our kitchen if we don’t keep it clean and prevent cross-contamination. Dettol want to hear about how you protect yourself from these illnesses.

Here’s what Dettol have to say: “Whilst Dettol started by preventing infection and sickness in hospitals in the UK, our brand’s mission was always much bigger. In order to help keep people healthy, Dettol needed to protect families as part of their every-day lives in the home. Fuelled by our passion to do more and backed by our expertise in killing germs, Dettol products are designed to help you protect your family from harmful germs that can cause illness. Our range of Dettol Surface Cleansers kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and can be used all over the home. Available in a range of formats such as trigger spray as well as surface or floor wipes.”

Are you a food hygiene goddess, using multiple chopping boards and organising your fridge to prevent cross-contamination? Or are you unaware of or unconcerned by the causes of cross-contamination? What methods do you use to stop the spread of germs and bacteria whilst preparing food?

Please share your understanding and methods used to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen and you will be entered into a prize draw where one gransnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list). This thread will close and the prize draw will take place on 29th December.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

teacherwoman Thu 22-Dec-16 06:05:43

I spray and wipe surfaces before prep of food, if raw meat use a separate chopping board, spray and wipe board when finished.
Spray and wipe surfaces around, I try not to touch when handling raw meat e.g. Switching lights on or open close fridge will spread bacteria, I wash my hands thoroughly when finished then use a hand gel.
Never had any problems using this method.

maggie1234 Thu 22-Dec-16 07:11:55

Hot water and soap is all that is required

sandra63 Thu 22-Dec-16 08:31:54

I spray my work surfaces and sink down with Dettox anti-bacterial spray every day. I have done it since making the bottles up for my babies and I've never wanted to break habit as you can't be too careful. I am pleased to see now that both my children have it on the side in their kitchens alongside the washing up liquid as in mine!

scrapgran Thu 22-Dec-16 08:50:53

Too much fuss about hygiene these days.Just make sure you wipe surfaces down after use and check you chuck out any food that's going mouldy.

frag69 Thu 22-Dec-16 10:09:20

I always use disinfectant wipes to wipe down surfaces after use. Keep a packet to hand, its quick and keeps on top of things

Pamaga Thu 22-Dec-16 10:32:36

I use different colour chopping board for dealing with different types of food. Before we touch any food my DH and I ensure we have washed our hands. We are rigorous about handwashing when returning from using public transport, being out in the garden, collecting the post, shopping etc. I regularly check through the contents of the fridges and cupboards to ensure that nothing is datex.
There is no double dipping when baking and I am not keen on dips of any kind to be honest as it seems very unhealthy to share the dip using crudites, pitta bread batons etc which are redipped!

ammaline Thu 22-Dec-16 11:02:37

I would agree with those that advocate basic common sense. Along with regular handwashing, I am careful about keeping raw meat and fish at the bottom of the fridge and using separate chopping boards and utensils. I don't believe though, that killing 99.9% of bacteria necessary for the vast majority of the population and may eve be harmful. There is such a thing as too clean!

HannahLI Thu 22-Dec-16 12:50:22

I always try to be really careful, I dishwasher everything that gets used as the heat should kill all the germs. I use different knives and chopping boards and I regularly wash hands after preparing meat before I start the veg, I also tidy away as I go. When Im cooking I try not to touch anything like fridges until I am done.

babwsbach1 Thu 22-Dec-16 12:54:11

I have compartments/ storage baskets within my fridge. One for cooked meat, one for dairy, one for cheeses, one for raw meat at the bottom of the fridge and a few handled baskets to store fruit and veg. It means I can keep an eye on foods and make sure nothing goes off and I can take them out easily to wipe down the fridge just before my weekly shop. I can easily take out the relevant basket as needed so it makes everthing much more organized. Best thing I have ever done!

angiehoggett Thu 22-Dec-16 13:39:46

keep dettol wipes handy for when you need to quickly use them on door handles, surfaces etc. Be extra vigilant with this when someone is ill to stop it from spreading to other family members.

volcanopete Thu 22-Dec-16 14:37:39

Wash hands after each usage

mollymockford Thu 22-Dec-16 15:24:10

You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die. Mankind has survived for a very long time without religiously swabbing down the kitchen with antibacterial products; and still does, in most of the world. Be sensible, of course, don't let work surfaces actually get dirty; but I would rather have "natural" bacteria on my food than violent chemicals from the supermarket. I have never given anybody food poisoning yet.

Anya Thu 22-Dec-16 19:24:41

Lots of people die every year from avoidable disease. Many after ingesting just a peck of dirt, especially if that little peck contained something rather nasty and invisible to the naked eye.

hideandseekpig Thu 22-Dec-16 21:15:57

Just wash your hands when preparing food!

ArthurII Thu 22-Dec-16 21:28:56

Use two chopping boards, one for fruit and vegetables and one for meats.

destin13 Thu 22-Dec-16 22:14:04

I am rather careful, raw meat at the bottom of the fridge a separate chopping board for meat and obviously washing hands before and after.

theresacoo Fri 23-Dec-16 00:05:57

I am quite careful when preparing foods. especially with raw Meats. I use different chopping boards if using say Meat to Veg.
I tidy as I go and try not to spill raw juices that may end up on the bin or floor or sink area.

I always use an anti bacterial spray when I wash up after eating. I feel this is adequate.

maggs15 Fri 23-Dec-16 09:22:20

I have reach my senior years on good basic hygiene. Keep a clean kitchen and bathroom always. Clean up as you go.

Candelle Fri 23-Dec-16 09:55:18

Too much scare-mongering now by(sorry Dettol) companies such as Dettol, or whoever makes the product.

It has been found that children living in too clean a house are more likely to have allergies, to food and/or materials.

We keep a basic hygiene regime, washing hands before preparing food, again before eating it; raw meat in the bottom of a 'fridge and separate chopping boards for meat and vegetable products.

We do not and would never contemplate an anti-bacterial spray as in our view - it is just not necessary.

angela121262 Fri 23-Dec-16 12:07:14

I use Detol Surface Cleaner, and wash my hands constantly when handling food.

sofieellis Fri 23-Dec-16 12:20:26

Keep everything clean, use spare boiling water to sterilise taps and sink, bleach cloths and scouring pads regularly and change tea-towels at least once a day.

pixelwife Fri 23-Dec-16 12:58:17

We are careful to use different chopping boards for meat / fish / veg etc but other than that, it's just the usual common sense rules and making sure the children wash their hands!

mo3733 Fri 23-Dec-16 13:53:13

i use two different chopping boards one for fresh meat and one for cooked

Jilly1967 Fri 23-Dec-16 14:37:02

Keep cooked and raw meat separate in the fridge, wiping everywhere regularly with frequently washed or new cloths otherwise just spreading germs around

CharlieMouse Fri 23-Dec-16 16:45:56

I use colour coded chopping boards to prevent cross contamination, wash up using hot soapy water (hot enough to require rubber gloves). Any raw meat is stored in a drip-proof container at the bottom of my fridge and any left over hot food is cooled, covered and chilled or frozen as soon as cool. I like to steam clean my work surfaces periodically (as the cat likes to walk on them!) and my washing up cloths are washed on a hot wash with my towels. I'm not fanatical about germs but just sensible enough to prevent illness I hope.