New research indicates that people in Blaenau Gwent could be putting themselves and their families at risk of food poisoning through lack of knowledge of the 4Cs of food hygiene: Chilling, Cooking, Cleaning and avoiding Cross-contamination.
The Food Standards Agency’s Food and You Survey, which collects information on food safety through 3,118 interviews across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, found that in Wales:
- Fewer than half of people in Wales defrosted meat and fish in the fridge or microwave in line with guidelines (43%). Although most people in Wales did not defrost meat or fish appropriately, a higher proportion of people in Wales defrosted food in line with guidelines than the rest of the country.
- A third (35%) of people in Wales washed raw chicken. Washing chicken risks spreading bacteria and should be avoided.
- One in ten people (9%) at least sometimes eat chicken or turkey even when the meat is pink or has pink or red juices.
- Only half (50%) of people checked their fridge temperature, and even fewer (42%) knew that their fridge should be kept between 0°C and 5°C.
- A quarter (25%) did not use different chopping boards for different foods, which risks spreading bacteria.
A spokesperson from Blaenau Gwent Council said:
“These figures show that there's more that people in Wales could do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe this summer. That's why Blaenau Gwent is working with the Food Standards Agency promote good hygiene practices during Food Safety Week (19 – 25 June). This year the week aims to encourage better hygiene practices for summer, when the risk of getting food poisoning goes up”