Food safety
Use a clean plate for cooked meat
Move cooked meat to a fresh plate with clean tongs or chopsticks; never return it to the raw-meat plate.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-12
Why it matters
Raw-meat juices left on a plate or utensil can transfer bacteria to food that is already cooked.
Wrong action
Put cooked meat back on the unwashed raw-meat plate.
Correct action
Place cooked meat only on a clean plate and use clean tongs or chopsticks.
What to do
- Set out a clean serving plate before the meat finishes cooking.
- Lift the cooked meat with clean tongs or chopsticks, not utensils used on it raw.
- If a plate or utensil touches raw juices, stop using it and wash and disinfect it or replace it.
If something happens
If cooked meat touches raw juices, stop serving and cook it thoroughly again; discard it if uncertain.
Sources and review
- Centre for Food Safety — Prevention of Cross-contamination
Last reviewed: 2026-09-12
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.