Basic guidelines
Most foods are regarded as safe, however freshly cooked foods are the safest. Cheeses made from pasteurised milk (pasteurisation kills listeria) and all hard cheeses are safe. Fresh, pasteurised and UHT milk is safe (as well as yoghurt) if eaten before their use by date. Thoroughly washed fresh fruit and vegetables are safe, as well as tinned and pickled foods. A more specific guide is as follows:
| CANNED MEAT and FISH |
Safe
Once opened store in the fridge and use within 12 hours |
CHEESES
Soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, ricotta, feta, goat, Limburger, Montrachet, Neufchatel, queso fresco and Pont-Leveque and semi-soft cheeses such as Asiago, Belle Paese, bleu, brick, Gorgonzola, Havarti, Muenster, Port-Salut, Roquefort and Taleggio. |
AVOID |
| Processed spreads, cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozzarella |
Safe
Ensure packaging is intact |
| Hard yellow cheese |
Safe
Store in fridge |
COLD MEATS (roasted or boiled)
Ready cooked (from supermarket, sandwich bars, etc.) |
AVOID |
| Home cooked meats |
Safe
Use within 12 hours of cooking or freeze. Unused portions can be thawed in the fridge and used immediately. |
CHICKEN
Home cooked |
Safe
Cook thoroughly. Use immediately or store in fridge and use within 12 hours. |
| Hot take-away chicken |
Safe
Make sure it's steaming hot when you buy it. Use immediately or store in fridge and use within 12 hours. |
| Ready cooked chicken, cold (whole or sliced) |
AVOID |
PATE
Ready made (packaged or loose) |
AVOID |
SALADS
Ready-made from salad bars, packaged etc. |
AVOID |
| Home-made salads |
Safe
Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Store in fridge, use within 12 hours. |
| SALAD DRESSINGS |
Safe
Store opened containers in the fridge. |
SEAFOODS
Raw (oysters, sashimi or sushi) or smoked (chilled or frozen) |
AVOID |
| Cooked seafood |
Safe
Cook fish all the way through. |