Feasting with friends and family is a central part of many holiday festivities. Food safety is the most important ingredient in preparing food to share. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food or drinks each year. Whether you’re a 1st-time party host or an experienced chef in the kitchen, here are some tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this season.
Wash your hands
December is National Handwashing Month, a good time to remember to ensure proper hand hygiene so you can help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs. Always use soap, warm water and a clean towel to wash your hands prior to food preparation, service or eating. Learn more about why hand-washing is essential.
Keep foods separated
When shopping, separate packages of raw meat, poultry and fish from other products and place them in separate bags to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. When home, store these packages on the lowest level of your refrigerator to keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separated. Also, remember to use 2 different cutting boards and knives to keep raw meats and ready-to-eat produce separated. Read more about taking the proper measures to avoid cross-contamination.
Cook food thoroughly
Raw meat, poultry and seafood can carry germs that cause foodborne illness, so it’s necessary to prepare these foods safely to prevent you or anyone from getting sick. Use a food thermometer to verify food is cooked to a safe internal temperature. Unsafe food storage is another cause of foodborne illness, so follow these tips to savor your leftovers.
Chill food properly
To maximize freshness and maintain food safety, refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within 2 hours — 1 hour if food is exposed to temperatures 90 F or above. Keep your refrigerator at 40 F or below, as bacteria grows rapidly between the temperatures of 40 F and 140 F. Follow these tips for keeping food safe when on the go.
