Food safety tips for sickness-free summer barbecues

Whether it’s picnics on the beach, barbecues in the back garden, or al fresco dinners with friends and family, it’s hard to deny that food tastes better when it’s enjoyed outside! That is, however, only if it’s prepared, cooked and stored properly. If it isn’t, you won’t be spending those long summer nights relaxing as the sun sets, you’ll likely be suffering sickness, diarrhoea or even worse. So, to ensure you get the most out of this summer, follow the simple food safety advice of the health experts at YourGP.

Sickness stats and symptoms

The Food Standards Agency estimates 2.4 million cases of food poisoning occur in the UK each year. And it is estimated that almost one-fifth of Britons (18%) have suffered from food poisoning following a barbecue. Common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Feeling nauseous
• Vomiting
• Stomach pains
• Diarrhoea
• High temperature

However, it is important to be aware that in rare cases, severe complications can result from food poisoning, such as kidney failure, meningitis, neurological damage and even death.

How to stay safe this summer

Nobody wants to be responsible for friends and family falling ill. So if you’re hosting this summer, follow these simple food safety rules:

1. Cleaning: Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or preparing food. Ensure you also clean all cooking utensils and surfaces after use, and always use a clean cloth and towels.
2. Cooking: Undercooked meat can cause food poisoning so take extra care when cooking on a barbecue as timings can vary greatly. Cook everything thoroughly, check there are no pink bits inside and ensure the juices run clear.
3. Chilling: Keep all meat in the fridge until it is time to cook it, and all other dishes chilled until it is time to serve to reduce the chance of bacteria multiplying in the heat.
4. Cross contaminating: When raw meat comes into contact with cooked meat, cross-contamination can occur. It is therefore essential that raw ingredients and cooked dishes are separated and that different cooking utensils and chopping boards are used.

Treating food poisoning

Food poisoning can usually be treated at home with plenty of rest. Avoiding dehydration is key, so ensure you drink plenty of fluids and symptoms should improve within a week. However, if you’re worried about symptoms not improving, you can book an appointment at YourGP using our simple online booking system. Or you can email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you, so you can get back to enjoying your summer.