Many cases of food poisoning start in the home kitchen, often from simple food handling mistakes we don’t even realise we are making.

As we head into the weekend, here are a few simple kitchen hygiene reminders that can help keep your food safe.

• Once you open canned food, transfer the contents into another container before storing it in the refrigerator to reduce contamination from the metal can.

• Defrost foods completely before cooking. If you are in a hurry, you can safely defrost using a microwave.

• When storing chicken or other meats in the refrigerator, ensure they do not come into contact with other foods to prevent cross-contamination.

• Store raw meats at the bottom of the refrigerator when thawing them so that fluids do not drip onto other foods.

• Do not store cooked meat together with raw meat. Germs from raw meat can contaminate cooked foods and lead to food poisoning.

• Before using green leafy vegetables, wash them properly. If you must buy the already cut leaves in the open market, make sure they are washed before cutting. If you cut them at home, you may soak them briefly in water with salt or a food-safe disinfectant before rinsing thoroughly.

Remember that simple habits in the kitchen can make a big difference in protecting your family from food-borne illness.

Which of these habits do you already practise in your kitchen?