Food safety
Clean utensils and worktops after raw food
After raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs, clean utensils and worktops thoroughly with hot water and detergent, then sanitise where appropriate.
Why it matters
Germs can move from raw food to ready-to-eat food through knives, boards, and surfaces.
Wrong action
Unsafe: Rinsing a knife after raw chicken and using it immediately on cooked food.
Correct action
After raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs, clean utensils and worktops thoroughly with hot water and detergent, then sanitise where appropriate.
What to do
- Check the area, equipment, and household arrangement before starting.
- After raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs, clean utensils and worktops thoroughly with hot water and detergent, then sanitise where appropriate.
- Stop and tell the employer if the situation is unsafe or unclear.
If something happens
For serious injury, unconsciousness, breathing difficulty, or immediate danger, call 999 and keep yourself safe first.
Sources and review
- Centre for Food Safety — Five Keys Reminder
Source checked: 2026-08-22
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.
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