Food chefs on TV provide entertainment and fun food ideas. But, when it comes to safe food preparation, they fall short.
Viewers follow what they see. When chefs handle raw meat, 88% did not wash their hands afterwards. For meat doneness, 75% did not use a thermometer to check the temperature. Chefs are often caught licking their fingers, touching their hair, and using the same cutting board for raw and ready-to-eat foods.
Chefs must keep shows engaging, navigate time schedules, TV sets and crews, and still be relatable to the audience. Consumers can speak up, make chefs accountable, and focus on recipes with food safety messages.
It’s about “striking a balance between the steak and the sizzle.” -Greg Moyer, former President of Scripps International
Source: Ellie Kreiger, M.S., RDN, 2019 Partnership for Food Safety Education conference
