We want Cupcake Day to be a safe, fun event for all involved. It's a day when thousands of people across New Zealand will be enjoying cupcakes and sweet treats in support of the SPCA, so it's really important that all our Cupcake Cooks keep basic food hygiene standards in mind when preparing cupcakes.

Our friends at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have put together a few food safety tips for our Cupcake Cooks to follow:

• Make sure you have clean hands, surfaces and equipment when preparing ingredients and handling the finished product. Whilst dog is man's best friend, it's best to shut your pup out of the kitchen while you're baking. (This goes for other pets too!)
• Transport food in clean containers to prevent dirt and bugs from getting into it, and to keep it in tip-top condition for your customers.
• Make a note of what's in the food you're selling, so you can tell customers who ask. Remember that for some people, eating a food they are allergic to can be life-threatening, so it's important that the information you give them is accurate. Common allergenics found in cupcakes include nuts, egg, gluten and dairy.

For more food safety tips, please have a read of MPI's Food Safety Tips Booklet.