Question: Hello Duncan I would like to ask how salmonella is created. I think it is caused by food not being cooked enough. Can you tell me if this is true, or if it isn't how it is caused? Thankyou

Duncan Gaskin answered on 12 Mar 2013:

Salmonella is a bacteria that normally is found in the guts of many farm animals (cows, pigs, chickens) where is causes them no illness. It gets into our food when the animal is processed into the meat that we buy or goes into ready meal and the like.

You are right, if the food is not cooked properly the Salmonella will not be killed and can grow in our guts and cause disease. Also if properly cooked meat is handled by someone who hasn’t washed their hands since handling uncooked meat then they can transfer Salmonella from their hands to the cooked food. This is why it is really important that you wash your hands before you start cooking and after handling uncooked ingredients like meat.