Tips on Preparing raw meat

• Ensure meat juices do not drip onto other foods when you are grabbing the ingredients that you are gonna cook.

• Completely defrost the frozen meat before cooking to make sure that you are able to cook the meat evenly especially when frying meat or cooking steak.

• Don't defrost the meat at room temperature on the benchtop. Instead, defrost it overnight in the fridge. If you forgot to take it out or are short of time, you can opt to use the defrost setting on your microwave.

• Don't wash meat especially chicken meat before cooking. The raw meat juice may create puddles and sprays when washing. These meat juices spread bacteria and microorganisms around the kitchen. If you really need to wash meat, remember to wash the places where puddles and sprays may appear or on for example, sink, knives, chopping boards, utentils, serving plates, taps and benchtop with hot soapy water

• Ideally, use separate chopping boards, utensils like knives and serving plates for raw meat. If you only have 1 chopping board and knife, make sure you clean it with hot soapy water after using it.

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water immediately after handling raw meat to prevent any cross contamination with other surfaces and food.

References:

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/preparing-and-storing-food-safely-at-home/how-handle-raw-meat-safely-avoid-cross-contamination/