Safe food handling with a weakened immune system

Cancer and some cancer treatments can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight infections. With a weakened immune system, you are more likely to get sick or develop food poisoning. That’s why it’s important to take special care when handling and preparing food ^1,2.

Tips for Safe Food Handling at Home

• Wash your hands before and after handling food. Use warm, soapy water and wash for at least 20 seconds ^1,2.
• Keep raw meats and seafood separate from uncooked foods like fruit and vegetables. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat ^1,3.
• Use a food thermometer to check that meats have reached the recommended safe internal cooking temperatures (see chart below) ³.

Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures ³

• Avoid raw or undercooked fish, seafood, meat and eggs, including sushi, oysters, cookie dough and steak tartare ^1,3.
• Heat hot dogs, deli meats and luncheon meats until steaming hot ¹.
• Wash fruit and vegetables under cold running water—even those with skins or rinds you don’t eat, and pre-packaged items labelled “pre-washed”. Use a vegetable brush for firm produce ^1,2.
• Avoid raw milk and cheese; choose pasteurised dairy products only ¹.
• Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible and eat within 72 hours. Reheat leftovers to the proper internal temperature ^1,3.
• Throw out any packaged or fresh foods that have passed their use-by date ¹.

Making Safe Food Choices When Eating Out

• Order foods that are freshly prepared to order ¹.
• Avoid self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets, where many hands have touched the food ¹.
• Ask for eggs, meat, poultry and fish to be cooked to safe minimum internal temperatures or order them well done ³.
• Avoid shared open containers like dressings and condiments ¹.

References:

1. Cancer Council NSW. Food safety during cancer treatment [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Council NSW; 2025 [cited 2025 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/living-well/nutrition-and-cancer/treatment-side-effects-and-nutrition/food-safety/
2. eviQ. Food safety during cancer treatment – Information for patients [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW; 2023 [cited 2025 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.eviq.org.au/patients-and-carers/side-effects/food-safety
3. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Safe food handling and cooking temperatures [Internet]. Canberra: FSANZ; 2024 [cited 2025 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/safety/Pages/default.aspx