01 · Clean
Wash hands and surfaces
Wash hands with soap before preparing food and after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, rubbish or pets. Clean worktops, knives and boards between tasks.
The safer kitchen journal
Food safety, made practical.
Good cooking begins before the pan gets hot. These simple habits can help you handle, prepare, store and serve food more safely.
Important: This page offers general educational information, not a guarantee that a particular dish is safe. Follow current official food-safety guidance for your country and the instructions on product packaging.
02 · Separate
Keep raw foods apart
Store raw meat and seafood securely below ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator. Use separate boards or thoroughly clean and sanitise equipment between ingredients.
03 · Cook
Use a food thermometer
Check the thickest part of food where appropriate and follow official safe internal-temperature guidance. Colour, texture and cooking time alone cannot reliably confirm safety.
04 · Chill
Store leftovers promptly
Refrigerate perishable foods promptly, ideally in shallow containers that cool quickly. Keep your refrigerator at the recommended temperature and follow local storage-time guidance.
05 · Allergens
Check every label
Read ingredient packaging each time you cook for someone with an allergy. Avoid cross-contact, clean utensils and surfaces, and never promise allergen-free food unless you can verify the process.
06 · Reheat
Reheat thoroughly
Follow official advice for reheating leftovers and avoid repeatedly cooling and reheating the same food. If food has been stored unsafely or you are unsure it is safe, discard it.
07 · Shop & store
Respect the cold chain
Pick up chilled and frozen items near the end of your shop, transport them promptly and put them away quickly. Keep raw foods sealed to prevent drips onto other groceries.
08 · Plan ahead
Thaw food safely
Thaw foods using a method recommended by official guidance, such as in the refrigerator, rather than leaving them on the counter for extended periods.
Trusted food-safety resources
For readers in the United States, consult FoodSafety.gov and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service for current guidance, temperature charts, storage recommendations and recalls.
Recipes Rokib is an editorial food website. This page is general information and does not certify a recipe, kitchen or food product as safe.