STORING UP TROUBLE

THE way you handle your food can have surprising effects for health. This week: Separate your shopping

IF YOU use farmers’ markets, take dirty vegetables home in a separate bag and keep them away from all foods in the fridge until they are washed.

‘Soil may contain the bacteria e.coli, which can lead to food poisoning,’ says Dr Kevin Hargin, head of foodborne disease control at the Food Standards Agency.

Transport and store packaged chicken in a separate bag, too. If the chicken contains the food-poisoning bug campylobacter, it can spread from inside the packaging to outside and potentially contaminate other food.