Food safety is not something to be sniffed at.
From a dodgy, but otherwise harmless, tummy to full-blown salmonella poisoning, skipping corners or being misinformed can lead to undesirable consequences.
USA Today interviewed several experts who revealed some very interesting things about food.
Hot off the back of 'to wash or not wash your chicken', it turns our washing meat and chicken actually spreads more germs than if you cooked it straight from the packet.
Shellfish can be a hazard - not just if it's not fresh - as it can contain a bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus which can attack a person's liver and stomach.
"Before the invention and acceptance of pasteurization, raw milk was a common source of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, diphtheria, severe streptococcal infections, typhoid fever, and other foodborne illnesses.
"These illnesses killed many people each year, especially young children. In the 1900s many mothers recognised this risk and would boil milk (bringing it to a temperature of 212°F) before giving it to their infants and young children."
An unlikely candidate for bacteria is the humble bean sprout. Kitchenette reports: "The porous nature of sprouts actually makes them more difficult to wash, and since they need humid conditions to grow in the first place, bacteria like E. Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella find them an easy breeding ground.
"Among fruits and vegetables, bean sprouts are actually potentially the single most dangerous, according to the CDC."
Here are some top food safety tips from HuffPost Healthy Living. Think we've missed any out? Let us know in the comments below.
Food Safety
Sharing A Plate For Raw And Cooked Meat(01 of11)
Open Image ModalYou should always use a different plate for raw meat and cooked meat. The same is true for seafood and poultry. Germs from the raw food can transfer from the plate onto the meat you're just about to serve. (credit:Frances Janisch)
Thawing Food On The Counter(02 of11)
Open Image ModalDon't thaw meat on the counter because germs can spread rapidly at room temperature. It's best to thaw foods either in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. (credit:Aimee Herring)
Washing Meat(03 of11)
Open Image ModalDespite what logic might imply, washing your meat in the kitchen sink is not sanitary. It can spread germs to the sink itself and surrounding countertops. (credit:Flickr: trekkyandy)
Let It Cool Before Storing(04 of11)
Open Image ModalMany people think that food should completely cool before storing in the fridge, but it's not so. Leaving your food out to cool is actually just an invitation for germs. Illness-causing bacteria can grow in perishable foods within two hours unless you refrigerate them. Though, you should never put steaming hot food in the refrigerator because it warms up the temperature of your entire fridge, putting other food in danger. (credit:Flickr: armigeress)
Eating Mixtures That Contain Raw Eggs(05 of11)
Open Image ModalYou've been told this since you were a kid, but it turns out it's true: eating raw cookie dough can make you sick (or any other food with raw eggs in it). Uncooked eggs may contain salmonella or other harmful bacteria. (credit:Flickr: Steve A Johnson)
Marinating On The Counter(06 of11)
Open Image ModalJust like you shouldn't thaw meats on the counter, you shouldn't leave marinades out either. Harmful germs multiply extremely rapidly at room temperature. Marinate your foods in the fridge. (credit:Aimee Herring)
Using Marinade As A Sauce(07 of11)
Open Image ModalIt may seem like a good idea to double the use of your marinade as a sauce, but the truth is the germs from the raw meat can contaminate your meal. You can use the marinade as a sauce if you bring it to a boil just before using. (credit:Flickr: Corey Ann)
Undercooking Meat(08 of11)
Open Image ModalNot Washing Your Hands(09 of11)
Open Image ModalWash your hands! This is not a new one, but it is a very important tip that gets overlooked way too often. And when we say wash your hands, that doesn't mean just quickly rinsing them under water. Wash them for a full 20 seconds with soap and running water. (credit:Flickr: Arlington County)
Tasting Food To See If It's Still Good(10 of11)
Open Image ModalDo you taste your milk to see if its still good? While this might not make you ill, it's a bad practice to maintain. Often times you can't taste when a food has gone bad -- and just a little taste of it can make you very ill. (credit:Flickr: OctopusHat)
Using Unwashed Fruit On A Cutting Board(11 of11)
Open Image ModalEven if you plan on peeling your fruits and vegetables, you should always rinse them before use. The pesticides can transfer onto your work surface and contaminate the chopped produce. This is true for those leafy greens too. While this might not make you ill, it's certainly something you'll want to avoid. (credit:Flickr: donielle)