The focus this month is to raise awareness about key steps to prevent you and your loved ones from getting sick. Currently, one in six people gets sick from food poisoning annually. Here are 4 key rules to help keep you healthy by avoiding food borne illness.
- Clean- Wash your hands often with warm soapy water before and after handling food for at least 20 seconds. It is also important to wash your hands after using the bathroom, handling pets or changing diapers to prevent illness.
- Separate- Improper handling of raw meats and eggs can result in cross contamination. Never reuse a plate that held raw meat, poultry or seafood to place cooked foods on as this will likely cross contaminate your food. Use a different cutting board for your vegetables/fruits than what you use for your raw meat, poultry and seafood.
- Cook- Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your cooked foods to kill harmful bacteria.
- Chill- Keeping your refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below is the best way to reduce your risk of food poisoning. Set your freezer to 0 degrees or below and use an appliance thermometer to insure proper temperature. Never defrost foods at room temperature. Lastly, cold air must be able to circulate in your refrigerator, so never over-pack your refrigerator.
Food safety should be something you focus on all year round; however, take time during National Food Safety Education Month to improve upon your food safety practices and share with others how important it is to follow these rules. Visit www.foodsafetymonth.com during the month for additional food safety activities, resources and information.
Linda Altenburger, Senior Nutritionist, SNAP-Ed