Reusing a chopping board after preparing meat, fish and poultry

Kitchen Life 2 explored meal occasions that involved the preparation of both raw and cooked meat, fish and poultry (MFP). Where quantitative data from filming is reported (where video footage has been coded and counted), the results include both cooked and raw MFP. In qualitative elements of the study (case studies, behavioural analysis) the results focus purely on raw MFP. “Raw” or “raw/cooked” are clearly stated throughout this chapter. In households, 140 meal occasions involved the use of a chopping board to prepare meat, fish and poultry (MFP) (raw/cooked). Of these, a fifth (28) involved the chopping board being washed with detergent during the meal occasion, with the same number (28) involving the chopping board being washed with water only. There was often a considerable time gap (in certain instances overnight) between households preparing MFP (raw/cooked) on a chopping board and washing the chopping board. Consequently, it was not possible to always observe whether or when a chopping board was washed. For food business operators (FBOs), 131 meal occasions involved the use of a chopping board to prepare MFP (raw/cooked). Of these, a sixth (21) involved the chopping board being washed with detergent during the meal occasion, with a third (38) involving the chopping board being washed with water only. In interviews, FBOs claimed to remove chopping boards from the filming area after use and wash the chopping board in a dishwasher (though this could not be observed). The reuse of an unclean chopping board that had been used to prepare MFP (raw/cooked) and then to chop any other food group was observed on 25 occasions in FBOs and 25 occasions in households. However, its reuse to prepare foods that do not require cooking (such as salads) was not commonly observed. Additionally, a range of kitchen items were often placed on unclean chopping boards after their use. This included plates, saucepans and utensils. Cross-contamination risks may result from this contact. Reusing the same chopping board for raw meat, fish and poultry (MFP) and other foods can present a significant risk of microbiological cross-contamination if the chopping board is not thoroughly washed between uses. Overall, the key influences affecting whether households reused a chopping board after preparing raw MFP included: whether the sink was cluttered with other items, preventing the chopping board from being washed. This was an enabler of reusing the chopping board without it being thoroughly cleaned (Physical Opportunity). having permissive social norms on leaving washing up until a later time, which enabled the reuse of the chopping board (Social Opportunity). These were reinforced by the following contextual factors(footnote 1): beliefs about the consequences of foodborne illness arising from not washing a chopping board. This was both an enabler and a barrier to reusing a chopping board (Reflective Motivation). being distracted while cooking or tired when cleaning, which enabled the reuse of a chopping board (Automatic motivation). Overall, the key influences affecting whether FBOs reused chopping boards after preparing raw MFP included: the use of chopping boards dedicated solely to the preparation of raw MFP, which enabled their reuse (Physical opportunity). varied understanding of the need to thoroughly wash and disinfect chopping boards before and after use when preparing raw MFP, which was both a barrier and enabler to reusing a chopping board (Psychological capability). These were reinforced by the following contextual factors(footnote 2): beliefs about cross-contamination risks associated with chopping boards used only for raw MFP, which were commonly wiped down with cloths rather than washed between uses. This acted to enable the reuse of a chopping board without thorough washing (Reflective motivation). staff not being conscious of how chopping boards were used after preparing raw MFP. This increased the likelihood of other items being placed upon them and was an enabler of reuse (Automatic motivation).