<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Joan Tuckey sent a very helpful post re food safety. One idea to add: I found a very helpful gadget in the kitchen stores recently. It is a very thin plastic 'cutting board' that is virtually indestructible. Great for chopping on as you can pick it up, roll up the edges and shoot the chopped food into a pot. Very safe for meat as it goes into the dish washer each time. Also a great addition to the 'kitchen in a suitcase' as it is almost weightless and not much thicker than a sheet of paper. Will save gluten accidents if used for slicing bread, etc. No I don't own shares, can't even remember proper name for it. Jessie in BC Canada