A FOOD hygiene expert is advising people to take steps to prevent food poisoning, before they fire up the grill for a barbecue.

Health Practitioner Dr Lisa Ackerley “People often associate barbecue safety as being solely about cooking meat properly, and although that is important, poor hygiene of equipment and surfaces outdoors are significant factors when it comes to cross contamination and food poisoning.”

She said surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned; hands should be washed and all utensils cleaned.