Storing them in a warm car or office, or even just carrying them around for a couple of hours, can raise the foods' temperature enough to allow bacteria to grow. At Home Most cases of food poisoning are caused by improper food handling or preparation in the 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, wooden 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. Properly cooking food is another important guard against food poisoning because heat kills bacteria. Most cookbooks give appropriate cooking times and temperatures for different foods. A meat thermometer should be used to ensure complete cooking. Never eat raw eggs or food that contain them.