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I've just bought my own vacuum packing machine. How often should I clean it?

It’s important to clean your vacuum packing machine thoroughly each time you use it. This is especially important if you’re packing food that is ready to eat after packing raw meat. Harmful bacteria can spread easily from raw meat onto ready-to-eat food making it unsafe to eat.

It’s also best to keep raw meat covered so it can’t touch or drip on foods that are ready to eat.

And remember not to use the same chopping board or knife for both raw and cooked foods without washing them, and your hands, thoroughly in between. This is because this can also transfer harmful bacteria to cooked food making it unsafe.

If you’re not sure how to clean your machine safely, try contacting the manufacturer. Or you might find guidance for your particular machine on the Internet.

If you can’t contact the manufacturer, or they can’t help you, here is some general advice:

  • Make sure you always switch your machine off at the mains electrical supply and unplug it before you start cleaning.
  • Wipe the machine thoroughly with a clean cloth and hot soapy water.
  • Be sure to let your machine dry thoroughly before you plug it into the mains electrical supply and before you switch it on again.