1710. Cook meat thoroughly - use a meatthermometer if preferred, which penetratesthe joint to check that the centre temperaturehas reached the required temperature (seetable below).Helpful hints when buying and preparing food11. If not eaten straightaway after cooking, foodshould be cooled as quickly as possible(within one hour) and then refrigerated orfrozen as required. (Do not put hot food intoa Refrigerator or Freezer).12. In the kitchen keep work tops, choppingboards and utensils clean with hot soapywater between preparation stages. Ideally,keep one chopping board for raw meat andanother for other foods. Keep your dish clothsand tea towels clean.MEAT TEMPERATURESBeef Rare - 60°CMedium - 70°CWell Done - 80°CPork Well Done - 80°CLamb Medium - 70°CWell Done - 80°CCare must be taken when handling foods in thehome. Always follow the basic rules of foodhygiene to prevent bacterial and microbial growthand cross contamination when preparing,reheating, cooking, cooling, defrosting andfreezing foods:1. Always ensure food you purchase is of goodquality and in prime condition. Shop at areliable source and buy the 'freshest' lookingpackage - avoid shopworn labels or producecovered in dust.2. Avoid buying chilled or frozen products if youcannot store them straight away. The use of aninsulated container when shopping isadvisable.3. Buy and consume foods prior to the 'Sell by' or'Best Before' date.4. When you arrive home, place perishable foodsin the refrigerator or freezer immediately.Ensure they are well covered to prevent themdrying out and to prevent any possible crosscontamination with bacteria from raw tocooked foods.5. Follow the cooking instructions on packets ofprepacked and cook chill foods, but beprepared to adjust cooking time andtemperatures to suit your particular oven. Forexample, the fan oven generally requires 20-25°C lower temperature than conventionalovens.6. Always ensure that cook chill foods arethoroughly re-heated until they are piping hotthroughout.7. It is preferable to defrost frozen foods slowlyin the refrigerator. Alternatively, a microwavecooker or the defrost function on your ovenmay be used.8. Always cook defrosted foods immediately afterthawing. Thawed food should never berefrozen.9. Joints of meat and poultry should bethoroughly defrosted before cooking.