18 June 2026

Barbecue food safety: five basic rules from the ministry

The ministry's barbecue-season reminders: (1) Wash hands before grilling and after touching raw meat; keep surfaces clean. (2) Never use the plate, tongs or cutting board used for raw meat with cooked food (cross-contamination). (3) Chicken and minced-meat products in particular must be cooked through. (4) Serve cooked food promptly; do not leave it at ambient temperature for long. (5) Thaw frozen products in the refrigerator or microwave, not at room temperature.