- Why is food safety important?
Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and proper storage are
important in preventing foodborne illness, especially during the
holiday season. These guidelines will help prevent you and your
family from getting sick from food. - What causes foodborne illness?
Raw or undercooked meats including turkey, chicken, beef and lamb can contain Campylobacter, Salmonella or E.coli bacteria that cause diarrhea and other health problems. Cooking meats to the proper temperature can
kill these bacteria; freezing meats does not kill these bacteria. - What are symptoms of foodborne illness?
Symptoms of foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning, include
stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which can start hours or
days after consuming contaminated food or drink. For healthy people,
most symptoms usually go away after a few hours or days without
treatment. However, foodborne illness can be severe and even lifethreatening in older adults, infants and young children, pregnant women,
and those with conditions that weaken their immune systems - How can you prevent foodborne illness?
There are 4 important tips to preventing foodborne illnesses- Clean – Wash hands and surfaces often with warm soapy water
to prevent the spread of germs throughout the kitchen. - Separate – Don’t cross contaminate. Spreading germs from
one food product to another is called cross-contamination. To
prevent this from happening separate raw meat, poultry, and
seafood from other foods. Wash hands, cutting boards, dishes and
utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw
meat. - Cook – Cook food to proper temperatures.
Turkey, Chicken & Duck 165° F
Egg Dishes 160° F
Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork – Ground 160° F
Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork – Steaks & Roasts 145° F
Fish 145° F - Chill – Refrigerate promptly. Keep cold foods cold (40°F or
below). Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Throw out foods
that should have been kept cold but have been left out for more
than two hours.
- Clean – Wash hands and surfaces often with warm soapy water
- How can you prevent foodborne illness during Thanksgiving and other holidays?
When purchasing a fresh turkey, plan to cook it within 1- 2 days after purchase. Fresh pre-stuffed turkeys, if
not handled properly, can be unsafe because of harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing. Frozen prestuffed turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions.
To thaw a turkey:
• Refrigerator: Place frozen turkey in original wrapper in the refrigerator (40° F or below). Allow
approximately 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey. After thawing, keep turkey refrigerated for only 1-2
days before cooking. A turkey that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be re-frozen one time. It is
not recommended to refreeze a turkey that has been thawed using other methods.
• Cold Water: Place securely wrapped turkey in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes.
Allow about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. Cook immediately after thawing.
• Microwave: Check to see if the turkey is small enough and fits comfortably in the microwave. Check
manufacturer’s instructions for the size of turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes
per pound, and the power level to use for thawing. Cook immediately after thawing.
• Do not thaw frozen pre-stuffed turkeys.
To cook a turkey:
• When roasting a whole turkey, use a food thermometer to make sure it cooks to 165°F or higher. Insert
the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, but not against the bone.
• For safety and uniform doneness, cook stuffing separately in a casserole dish.
• For pre-cooked turkey dinners, eat within 2 hours or refrigerate components separately, then reheat to
a temperature of at least 165°F.
• Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys: Cook from the frozen state by following package directions.
Other food handling tips include:
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cutting into them.
• Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when re-heating.
• Keep hot foods hot. Use chafing dishes or pans with Sternos or other heating devices or keep foods
in the oven at a temperature to ensure they remain at 135°F or above.
• Leftovers should be used within 3 to 4 days.
• “Taste testing” food or drinks to see if they have spoiled is not recommended.
Foodborne illnesses can be caused by raw or lightly cooked eggs or egg products used in foods such as salad
dressings, cookie or cake batter, sauces such as hollandaise sauce, and beverages such as eggnog. Avoid
eating uncooked items containing raw or lightly cooked eggs or egg products. Substitute pasteurized eggs
when cooking these foods. If you get a foodborne illness, seek medical attention.
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