The holidays are the perfect time to delight in the joy and traditions that come with preparing food and sharing meals. But nothing puts a damper on the festivities like getting sick.
An estimated 48 million people suffer from foodborne illnesses every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Keep your family and friends safe this season by following these food safety tips.
Keep it sudsy
To combat the spread of bacteria and other germs, keep your kitchen and hands clean when preparing food. You should wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
- before, during and after making food
- when switching from working with raw to ready-to-eat foods
- after using the restroom, handling garbage or doing activities where you are exposed to germs and
- before eating.
Cleaning kitchen surfaces is just as important and should be done before and after preparing food, as well as in between making different dishes. Wash fruits and vegetables before use.
Say ‘no’ to cross-contamination
Always keep raw meat separated from other food in your cart at the grocery store, in your refrigerator and while preparing food. Separating these items helps eliminate the spread of bacteria.
Time for turkey
The perfect holiday bird starts by thawing it at a safe temperature to prevent the development of dangerous germs.
You can thaw your turkey safely in
- your refrigerator
- a sink of cold water (water should be changed every 30 minutes) or
- the microwave.
Frozen turkey and other food should not be thawed on the counter.
Cook it thoroughly
To cook food properly, it must get to an internal temperature high enough to destroy harmful bacteria. Your holiday turkey should reach a minimum of 165 F. To check it, place an oven-safe thermometer in the thickest part of the bird. Avoid putting stuffing inside the turkey; instead, serve it as a side dish. After removing the turkey from the oven, double-check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
Gobble up leftovers safely
Leftovers are a staple of the holiday season, but they must be packaged and stored properly to keep them at a safe temperature. Help your food cool down rapidly by placing the different dishes into shallow containers with loose coverings, and place them in the refrigerator.
All food should be refrigerated within 2 hours. After that, enjoy your leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
