Preparing and storing food safely

Babies are particularly susceptible to bacteria that cause food poisoning. Here are some tips on how to prepare, cook and store your baby's food safely.

Preparing food

• Make sure your hands are clean before you start. Wash them well with soap and water and dry them thoroughly afterwards. Wet hands spread bacteria more easily.
• Always wash your hands after handling raw meat and poultry, after touching the bin and after touching any pets. Keep hand soap next to your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
• Wash all fruit and vegetables before eating.
• Make sure your worktop, kitchen utensils and chopping boards are clean. If they have been touched by raw eggs, poultry or meat, wash them thoroughly.
• Change dish cloths and tea towels regularly. They are a perfect place for bacteria to grow.

Cooking food
Cooking food properly kills harmful bacteria reducing the risk of food poisoning.

• Properly cooked food should be piping hot throughout. With meat, there should be no pink meat left in the middle, and juices should run clear.
• If you are reheating baby food, it should be steaming hot throughout. Leave it to cool before feeding your baby and do not reheat it again.
• If you heat your baby's food in the microwave, always stir, leave it to stand and check the temperature of the food before feeding to avoid burning from hot spots.

Storing food
Keeping food in the fridge helps prevent bacteria from growing on it, but your fridge needs to be cold enough to do its job properly, between 0º C and 5º C.

• Store food according to any instructions on the label. And do not use it past its use by date.
• Keep raw meat and poultry sealed on the bottom shelf of the fridge so they cannot touch or drip onto other food.
• Before refrigerating food you have cooked or any leftovers, make sure the food has cooled down. But do not leave it for longer than two hours. You can then leave covered food in the fridge for up to two days.
• Never reuse leftovers of your baby's meals. Food touched by saliva from your baby's spoon or mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Freezing food
Always freeze food before its use by date, and defrost thoroughly before you cook it.

Feeding your baby

• If you wean your baby from six months, your baby's bowls, plates, cups and spoons can be cleaned using your usual washing-up method.
• If you start weaning earlier, sterilise your baby's feeding spoons using an electric or cold water steriliser. Consult your healthcare professional before any decision to wean before six months of age.