DON’T wash raw chicken is the advice being given by Wiltshire Council and the Food Standards Agency, and is the message Food Safety Week this week.

Washing the meat before cooking can splash bacteria onto items close to the sink, increasing the risk of people being exposed to bacteria such as Campylobacter - the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.

The bacteria can’t be seen, felt or tasted but it affects nearly a quarter of a million people nationwide every year.

Following the easy steps of not washing raw chicken, covering and storing it at the bottom of the fridge, using hot soapy water to wash cooking utensils and recyclable food packaging, and cooking the chicken thoroughly is the best way to protect against infection.

Local authorities, all the major supermarkets and key partners will be working together to make sure people know how to stay safe. Advice is available at food.gov.uk/chicken.