Poor hygiene practice rampant in Irish kitchens

Unhygienic practices in the kitchen are leaving Irish people open to food poisoning, according to a study commissioned by the cross-border Food Safety Promotion Board.

The study, conducted by researchers at UCD and Queen's University in Belfast, found Irish people generally had a poor knowledge of food safety hazards.

Around 60% of the 3,000 households surveyed in one part of the research were found to be guilty of at least one risky practice in the kitchen.

One-third were found to store raw meat above cooked meat in their fridges, while 12% were found to be storing food beyond its sell-by date.

Those behind the study said it reinforced the need for greater education about food safety.