Food safety

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Fact or fiction: Oil is carcinogenic

Does cooking with olive oil change the oil and turn it carcinogenic? We asked oil expert Laurence Eyres, who is Business Development Director, Food and Nutrition at Auckland University, to clarify...
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What does 'best before' and 'use by' mean?

There's a big difference between a 'use by' date and a 'best before' date on perishable goods.Think of a 'use by' date as an instruction. It's not to be ignored. For...
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Ask the experts: Cheese

Q: "Once opened, how long do cheeses such as brie, camembert and feta last in the fridge? I seem to be continually buying them and throwing them out after having them open for just 2-3 days....
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Ask the experts: Sushi

Q: "Can you tell me how long store-bought sushi lasts? For example, if I buy a pack for lunch one day, can it be saved for lunch the next day?"DeborahA: Julia Clark, a dietitian at New...
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Ask the experts: Lettuce and chlorine

Q: "I have heard that the bagged salad leaves you buy in supermarkets are washed with chlorine to clean them, and then have the bag filled with a gas that keeps them fresh for longer. Apparently...
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Ask the experts: Slow-cookers

Q: "I often cook frozen chicken in a Ralta crock pot slow cooker. It is cooked in time for tea and after putting under the grill for 5 minutes is moist and tender. I was wondering: are we in...
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Ask the experts: Bleaching water

Q: "Will a few drops of Janola (or any other bleach) enable unsuitable, or perhaps water from unknown origins, to be used as drinking water? This would be in an emergency only." Marsha A:...
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Ask the experts: Mercury in fish

Q: "How much tuna can you eat before there is a risk from too much mercury?" Jane A: Dietitian Amanda Johnson responds: "Fish is a healthy food and a great source of protein, along...
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Ask the experts: Chopping boards

Q: "Is a wooden chopping board better to use than the new plastic type? I have read that wood contains certain natural qualities that kill bacteria. I do realise a chopping board needs to be...
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Your guide to freezing

Caroline Gunn gives practical advice on how to get the best from your freezer.Ever since humans were hunters and gatherers, we’ve been freezing food. In those days ice and snow were used to...
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Ask the experts: Plastic water bottles

Q: "I buy bottled water, then refill the bottle with water from the tap. How long can you keep doing this? I have been told only three weeks, because the plastic breaks down."KarenA: We...
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Ask the experts: Cooling food

Q: "It used to be a no-no to put hot food into the fridge because it increases fridge temperatures. But we're also told not to leave food cooling on the bench as this allows bacteria to form...
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Ask the experts: Bottled water best-by date

Q: "Having made provisions of bottled water in case of an emergency, I am wondering: how long can one keep bottled water after its 'best-by' date? Is it safe to drink it after that date...
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Food preparation tips for allergy sufferers

Cross contamination is a genuine risk for severe allergy sufferers. Here are some food preparation tips for keeping food safe. Wash and dry your hands carefully. Use separate surfaces and...
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Barbecue cleaning tips

There are some easy ways to clean your barbecue, both post-winter and after each use.If your cast iron hotplate or grill has a bit of rust, heat it until it is very hot, cover with cooking oil and...

Food safety

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