Kids, don't poison mum this Mother's Day

Inexperienced cooks are encouraged to ensure they are hygenic and clean when they whip up Mother's Day treats for their mums. Photo / Herald on Sunday

While they may have the best of intentions, children who cook their mums breakfast in bed for Mother's Day risk giving them food poisoning if they don't follow basic food safety guidelines.

The Food Safety Council is encouraging inexperienced cooks to ensure they are hygienic and clean if and when they try their hand in the kitchen on Sunday.

"Those wanting the perfect day for Mum may be creating kitchen treats without much experience so it's important for them to carry out the food safety basics," council executive Juliana Madden said.

These include thoroughly cleaning hands and cooking utensils, keeping perishable foods chilled, properly cooking meat and keeping foods which may be sources of contamination separate from ready to eat foods such as salads, fruits and cooked meats.

- NZPA