Food poisoning

Food poisoning is a common occurrence amongst students. Most times it is self-inflicted and could have been avoided if simple hygiene rules had been followed. You needn’t go as far as the Manchester student who was charged with attempted murder after stabbing the flatmate who never tidied the shared kitchen, but, following the advice below should help keep your digestive system healthy!

• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, after using the toilet, after handling raw foods or waste
  
  
• Keep all equipment and surfaces clean. If a tea towel looks dirty, wash it. If a dishcloth looks dirty throw it away and buy a new one
  
  
• If food is cooked in advance it must be kept hot, or cooled within a maximum of 90 minutes and then stored properly
  
  
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some food can be cooked from frozen. Other food must be defrosted first
  
  
• Avoid reheating food particularly rice, pasta, and meat. However if you do reheat food be certain it is hot throughout, so that any bacteria are killed
  
  
• Keep the preparation of raw food and cooked food strictly separate
  
  
• Do not eat food that has mould on it, even if you scrape the mould off!
  
  
• Pasteurised foods (e.g. milk, yoghurt, cheese) should be refrigerated
  
  
• All stored food should be covered to protect it from insects

Source: Leeds University Union

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Last revision: April 2011