People planning an al fresco get together with friends this weekend are being urged to follow a few simple steps to help avoid a barbeque disaster by keeping them safe from food poisoning. 

HealthEast, the clinical commissioning group for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, is reminding people of some basic tips if they’re planning on cooking up a storm this summer. 

It comes in response to statistics which show that more than 500,000 cases of food poisoning are recorded each year in the UK, with salmonella being one of the main causes of hospital admissions.

Dr John Stammers, a GP at Sole Bay Health Centre in Southwold, said: “Cases of food poisoning almost double over the summer months. Food poisoning is caused by eating food contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus.

“Although food poisoning is usually mild, and most people get better within a week, there are times when it can be more severe, so it’s important to take the risks seriously. Children, older people and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning. Following these simple steps will help to keep food safe.”

Tips include:

• Make sure the coals are glowing red with a powdery grey surface before you start cooking to make sure they are hot enough
• Ensure that frozen meat is properly thawed before it’s cooked
• Regularly turn the meat and move it around the barbecue to make sure it is cooked evenly
• Always test the meat at the thickest part to make sure none of it is pink on the inside. Meat is only safe to eat when it is piping hot in the centre, there is no pink meat visible and any juices are clear.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after touching raw meat.
• Use separate utensils (plates, tongs, containers) for cooked and raw meat.
• Never put cooked food on a plate or surface that has had raw meat on it.
• Keep raw meat in a sealed container away from foods that are ready to eat, such as salads and buns.
• Never wash raw chicken or other poultry before cooking as this increases the risk of spreading campylobacter bacteria.
• Never put raw meat next to cooked or partly cooked meat on the barbecue.
• Never put sauce or marinade on cooked food if it has already been used with raw meat.

Most cases of food poisoning can be treated at home with over the counter medicines. However, if you are worried about your symptoms and need advice, talk to your local pharmacy or call NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information on barbeque food safety, visit www.nhs.uk

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