At Home Most cases of food poisoning are caused by improper food handling or preparation in the home. Keeping shelves, counter tops, refrigerators, freezers, utensils, sponges, and towels clean is one of the best ways to prevent bacterial contamination of food at home. It is especially important to wash all utensils and your hands with soap and hot water after handling one food and before handling another. This helps prevent cross-contamination in which, for example, bacteria in raw meat could be transferred to other foods, such as salads or vegetables. For the same reason, wood cutting boards should not be used for cutting raw meat, poultry or fish.
Plastic boards are easier to clean and sanitize.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed with water and refrigerated to reduce spoilage. The temperature in a refrigerator should be maintained at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and food should be stored in covered containers. Properly cooking food is another important guard against food poisoning. Heat kills bacteria. Most cookbooks give appropriate cooking times and temperatures for different foods.