Latest news with #InstituteforGlobalFoodSecurity
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Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
The barbecuing myth that ‘dirt adds flavour' is dangerous health risk
The barbecuing myths that 'dirt adds flavour' and 'flames kill off bacteria' are dangerous health risks, according to an expert. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, revealed such notions pose a serious health risk to those across the country heading into BBQ season. A laissez-faire approach to cleaning your barbecue, including not checking the internal temperature of your meat or simply scraping a grill 'clean', could leave you – and your guests – in a spot of bother. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after research of 2,000 barbecue enthusiasts found one in six (15 per cent) believe flames kill off bacteria – with 27 per cent confident dirt adds flavour. Professor Elliott, who is consulting with Oven Pride, commissioned the research to launch its 'Grill With Pride' campaign to encourage people to properly scrub their barbecue and grill regularly, said: 'A dirty grill is not a badge of honour – it's a serious health risk. 'The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth. 'Some bacteria – like E. coli and Salmonella – can survive if the grill isn't properly cleaned.' 'What's more concerning is how many people believe this. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'High heat doesn't guarantee a clean surface. Bacteria can survive in grease traps and cold spots. "And when that grease builds up, it doesn't just stay put – it flares up, scorches your food, and can even start a fire.' The survey also found 24 per cent have considered their grill is clean following a good scrape and 11 per cent have even thought it ok to pick up raw and cooked foods with the same utensils. Of the barbecue owners polled, excluding the grill itself, almost a quarter (22 per cent) had never bothered to clean theirs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other hygiene 'sins' committed include not covering food to protect it from insects, leaving produce out in the open for too long, and putting things back on after they'd fallen on the floor. When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to give it a scrub 'sometimes'. Of those who have never bothered, barring the grill, 35 per cent never thought you needed to, and 23 per cent considered the job too messy and unpleasant. But 28 per cent admitted they haven't bothered using theirs because it was too dirty or they didn't want to have to clean it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And 48 per cent of barbecue owners see the level of cleanliness required as different to that required in their kitchen. As a result, 18 per cent are buying a new one at least every two years, with those replacing them doing so due to them rusting over time or being worn out. Despite a laxer approach outdoors, 42 per cent are more worried about germs and bacteria when it comes to barbecues compared to traditional indoor food prep. Professor Christopher Elliott, speaking in partnership with Oven Pride, added: 'Outdoor cooking should follow the same food safety standards as your indoor kitchen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Treat your BBQ like a pan or chopping board – clean it after every use. Fire alone won't protect your food or your health.' When cleaning their grill – 36 per cent used a grill brush to scrape it clean, followed by 35 per cent who give it a soak in soapy water. More than half (54 per cent) of all barbecue owners polled, via OnePoll, said they'd be surprised if theirs had large amounts of bacteria housed in them. Professor Christopher Elliot added: 'With barbecues, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food – not last week's leftover burgers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you'll also avoid inviting pests into your garden.' 'If you wouldn't cook on a dirty pan, don't cook on a dirty grill.' When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to scrub it 'sometimes' | Shutterstock Top 10 dodgy things adults have done when cooking on the BBQ: Not checking the internal temperature of meat Scraping the grill clean Not cleaning the grill after each use Believing flames kill off bacteria Not covering food to protect from insects Leaving cooked food out in the open for too long Putting things back on the barbecue after it's fallen on the floor Using the same utensils to pick up raw and cooked foods Never actually cleaning the barbecue itself Not properly storing leftovers
.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
The barbecuing myth that ‘dirt adds flavour' is dangerous health risk
The barbecuing myths that 'dirt adds flavour' and 'flames kill off bacteria' are dangerous health risks, according to an expert. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, revealed such notions pose a serious health risk to those across the country heading into BBQ season. A laissez-faire approach to cleaning your barbecue, including not checking the internal temperature of your meat or simply scraping a grill 'clean', could leave you – and your guests – in a spot of bother. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after research of 2,000 barbecue enthusiasts found one in six (15 per cent) believe flames kill off bacteria – with 27 per cent confident dirt adds flavour. Professor Elliott, who is consulting with Oven Pride, commissioned the research to launch its 'Grill With Pride' campaign to encourage people to properly scrub their barbecue and grill regularly, said: 'A dirty grill is not a badge of honour – it's a serious health risk. 'The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth. 'Some bacteria – like E. coli and Salmonella – can survive if the grill isn't properly cleaned.' 'What's more concerning is how many people believe this. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'High heat doesn't guarantee a clean surface. Bacteria can survive in grease traps and cold spots. "And when that grease builds up, it doesn't just stay put – it flares up, scorches your food, and can even start a fire.' The survey also found 24 per cent have considered their grill is clean following a good scrape and 11 per cent have even thought it ok to pick up raw and cooked foods with the same utensils. Of the barbecue owners polled, excluding the grill itself, almost a quarter (22 per cent) had never bothered to clean theirs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other hygiene 'sins' committed include not covering food to protect it from insects, leaving produce out in the open for too long, and putting things back on after they'd fallen on the floor. When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to give it a scrub 'sometimes'. Of those who have never bothered, barring the grill, 35 per cent never thought you needed to, and 23 per cent considered the job too messy and unpleasant. But 28 per cent admitted they haven't bothered using theirs because it was too dirty or they didn't want to have to clean it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And 48 per cent of barbecue owners see the level of cleanliness required as different to that required in their kitchen. As a result, 18 per cent are buying a new one at least every two years, with those replacing them doing so due to them rusting over time or being worn out. Despite a laxer approach outdoors, 42 per cent are more worried about germs and bacteria when it comes to barbecues compared to traditional indoor food prep. Professor Christopher Elliott, speaking in partnership with Oven Pride, added: 'Outdoor cooking should follow the same food safety standards as your indoor kitchen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Treat your BBQ like a pan or chopping board – clean it after every use. Fire alone won't protect your food or your health.' When cleaning their grill – 36 per cent used a grill brush to scrape it clean, followed by 35 per cent who give it a soak in soapy water. More than half (54 per cent) of all barbecue owners polled, via OnePoll, said they'd be surprised if theirs had large amounts of bacteria housed in them. Professor Christopher Elliot added: 'With barbecues, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food – not last week's leftover burgers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you'll also avoid inviting pests into your garden.' 'If you wouldn't cook on a dirty pan, don't cook on a dirty grill.' When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to scrub it 'sometimes' | Shutterstock Top 10 dodgy things adults have done when cooking on the BBQ:
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Experts warn these Barbecue myths could be harming your health
BBQ season is upon us but experts have warned that a relaxed approach to cleaning your barbecue could be a problem for you and your guests. According to an expert, barbecue myths brings such as 'dirt adds flavour' and 'flames kill off bacteria', pose a dangerous health risk and a casual attitude towards barbecue hygiene could actually really result in serious consequences. Failing to check the internal temperature of meat or simply scraping the grill 'clean', could spell trouble for you and your guests. Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, has highlighted that these misconceptions are a significant health hazard as the nation gears up for barbecue season. This warning follows a study of 2,000 barbecue aficionados which discovered that 15% believe flames can eliminate bacteria, while 27% are convinced that dirt enhances flavour. Working with Oven Pride, who conducted the survey as part of their 'Grill With Pride' initiative aimed at encouraging thorough cleaning of barbecues and grills, Professor Elliott stated: "A dirty grill is not a badge of honour – it's a serious health risk. The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth." He expressed concern over the number of people who hold this belief, adding: "Some bacteria, like E. coli and Salmonella, can survive if the grill isn't properly cleaned. High heat doesn't guarantee a clean surface." "Bacteria can survive in grease traps and cold spots and when that grease builds up, it doesn't just stay put it flares up, scorches your food, and can even start a fire." The survey revealed that 24% of people believe their grill is clean after a good scrape, and 11% even think it's acceptable to handle raw and cooked foods with the same utensils. Other hygiene blunders include not covering food to shield it from insects, leaving produce exposed for too long, and returning items to the grill after they've fallen on the floor. Interestingly, 48% of barbecue owners see the cleanliness standards for their grills as different from those in their kitchen. When questioned about how often they should clean it, 16% believed it only needed a scrub 'sometimes'. However, 28% confessed they haven't used theirs because it was either too dirty or they didn't fancy cleaning it. Consequently, 18% end up purchasing a new barbecue at least every two years, primarily due to rusting or wear and tear. Professor Christopher Elliott, added: "Outdoor cooking should follow the same food safety standards as your indoor kitchen. Treat your BBQ like a pan or chopping board and clean it after every use. Fire alone won't protect your food or your health." To conclude, he stressed: "With barbecues, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food, not last week's leftover burgers. "Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you'll also avoid inviting pests into your garden."
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Expert's warning over common barbecue myths that pose ‘dangerous health risk' as Brits' grilling blunders revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up THE barbecuing myths that 'dirt adds flavour' and 'flames kill off bacteria' are dangerous health risks, according to an expert. Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, revealed such notions pose a serious health risk to those across the country heading into BBQ season. 1 More than half of Brits surveyed would be surprised if their BBQ had large amounts of bacteria in it Credit: SWNS A laissez-faire approach to cleaning your barbecue, including not checking the internal temperature of your meat or simply scraping a grill 'clean', could leave you – and your guests – in a spot of bother. It comes after research of 2,000 barbecue enthusiasts found one in six (15 per cent) believe flames kill off bacteria – with 27 per cent confident dirt adds flavour. Professor Elliott, who is consulting with Oven Pride, commissioned the research to launch its 'Grill With Pride' campaign to encourage people to properly scrub their barbecue and grill regularly, said: 'A dirty grill is not a badge of honour – it's a serious health risk. 'The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth. 'Some bacteria – like E. coli and Salmonella – can survive if the grill isn't properly cleaned.' 'What's more concerning is how many people believe this. 'High heat doesn't guarantee a clean surface. Bacteria can survive in grease traps and cold spots. "And when that grease builds up, it doesn't just stay put – it flares up, scorches your food, and can even start a fire.' The survey also found 24 per cent have considered their grill is clean following a good scrape and 11 per cent have even thought it ok to pick up raw and cooked foods with the same utensils. Of the barbecue owners polled, excluding the grill itself, almost a quarter (22 per cent) had never bothered to clean theirs. Other hygiene 'sins' committed include not covering food to protect it from insects, leaving produce out in the open for too long, and putting things back on after they'd fallen on the floor. When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to give it a scrub 'sometimes'. Of those who have never bothered, barring the grill, 35 per cent never thought you needed to, and 23 per cent considered the job too messy and unpleasant. But 28 per cent admitted they haven't bothered using theirs because it was too dirty or they didn't want to have to clean it. Why you should never eat food dropped on the floor And 48 per cent of barbecue owners see the level of cleanliness required as different to that required in their kitchen. As a result, 18 per cent are buying a new one at least every two years, with those replacing them doing so due to them rusting over time or being worn out. Despite a laxer approach outdoors, 42 per cent are more worried about germs and bacteria when it comes to barbecues compared to traditional indoor food prep. Professor Christopher Elliott, speaking in partnership with Oven Pride, added: 'Outdoor cooking should follow the same food safety standards as your indoor kitchen. 'Treat your BBQ like a pan or chopping board – clean it after every use. Fire alone won't protect your food or your health.' When cleaning their grill – 36 per cent used a grill brush to scrape it clean, followed by 35 per cent who give it a soak in soapy water. More than half (54 per cent) of all barbecue owners polled, via OnePoll, said they'd be surprised if theirs had large amounts of bacteria housed in them. Professor Christopher Elliot added: 'With barbecues, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food – not last week's leftover burgers. 'Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you'll also avoid inviting pests into your garden.' 'If you wouldn't cook on a dirty pan, don't cook on a dirty grill.' TOP 10 DODGY THINGS ADULTS HAVE DONE WHEN COOKING ON THE BBQ: 1. Not checking the internal temperature of meat 2. Scraping the grill clean 3. Not cleaning the grill after each use 4. Believing flames kill off bacteria 5. Not covering food to protect from insects 6. Leaving cooked food out in the open for too long 7. Putting things back on the barbecue after it's fallen on the floor 8. Using the same utensils to pick up raw and cooked foods 9. Never actually cleaning the barbecue itself 10. Not properly storing leftovers
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Expert's warning over common barbecue myths that pose ‘dangerous health risk' as Brits' grilling blunders revealed
THE barbecuing myths that 'dirt adds flavour' and 'flames kill off bacteria' are dangerous health risks, according to an expert. Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, revealed such notions pose a serious health risk to those across the country heading into Advertisement 1 More than half of Brits surveyed would be surprised if their BBQ had large amounts of bacteria in it Credit: SWNS A laissez-faire approach to cleaning your barbecue, including not checking the internal temperature of your meat or simply scraping a grill 'clean', could leave you – and your guests – in a spot of bother. It comes after research of 2,000 Professor Elliott, who is consulting with 'The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth. Advertisement Read more in Health 'Some bacteria – like E. coli and Salmonella – can survive if the grill isn't properly cleaned.' 'What's more concerning is how many people believe this. 'High heat doesn't guarantee a clean surface. Bacteria can survive in grease traps and cold spots. "And when that grease builds up, it doesn't just stay put – it flares up, scorches your food, and can even start a fire.' Advertisement Most read in Health The survey also found 24 per cent have considered their grill is clean following a good scrape and 11 per cent have even thought it ok to pick up raw and cooked foods with the same utensils. Of the barbecue owners polled, excluding the grill itself, almost a quarter (22 per cent) had never bothered to clean theirs. Other hygiene 'sins' committed include not covering food to protect it from insects, leaving produce out in the open for too long, and putting things back on after they'd fallen on the floor. When asked how frequently you should clean your barbecue, 16 per cent thought you only needed to give it a scrub 'sometimes'. Advertisement Of those who have never bothered, barring the grill, 35 per cent never thought you needed to, and 23 per cent considered the job too messy and unpleasant. But 28 per cent admitted they haven't bothered using theirs because it was too dirty or they didn't want to have to clean it. Why you should never eat food dropped on the floor And 48 per cent of barbecue owners see the level of As a result, 18 per cent are buying a new one at least every two years, with those replacing them doing so due to them rusting over time or being worn out. Advertisement Despite a laxer approach outdoors, 42 per cent are more worried about germs and bacteria when it comes to barbecues compared to traditional indoor food prep. Professor Christopher Elliott, speaking in partnership with Oven Pride, added: 'Outdoor cooking should follow the same food safety standards as your indoor kitchen. 'Treat your When cleaning their grill – 36 per cent used a grill brush to scrape it clean, followed by 35 per cent who give it a soak in soapy water. Advertisement More than half (54 per cent) of all barbecue owners polled, via OnePoll, said they'd be surprised if theirs had large amounts of bacteria housed in them. Professor Christopher Elliot added: 'With barbecues, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food – not last week's leftover burgers. 'Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you'll also avoid inviting pests into your 'If you wouldn't cook on a dirty pan, don't cook on a dirty grill.' Advertisement TOP 10 DODGY THINGS ADULTS HAVE DONE WHEN COOKING ON THE BBQ: 1. Not checking the internal temperature of meat 2. Scraping the grill clean 3. Not cleaning the grill after each use 4. Believing flames kill off bacteria 5. Not covering food to protect from insects 6. Leaving cooked food out in the open for too long 7. Putting things back on the barbecue after it's fallen on the floor 8. Using the same utensils to pick up raw and cooked foods 9. Never actually cleaning the barbecue itself 10. Not properly storing leftovers
