Keep Healthy — Practice Food Safety

The holidays are here, trips are scheduled and menus are planned — but no one plans for a foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning. The symptoms aren’t pleasant, and in some cases it can even be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in six Americans (or 48 million people) gets a foodborne illness each year — more than 125,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has four tips to help prevent foodborne illnesses.

Prepping a salad

Clean

Always rinse your food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before, during and after food preparation. Clean the counters and your utensils with hot, soapy water and make sure they are clean. 

Separate

Keep raw foods separate from other foods. Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after they have touched raw meat or poultry. Germs can spread from one food to another food

Cook

Foods need to get hot and stay hot. Heat kills germs, so cook meat, poultry and eggs fully. Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to correct temperatures:

  • 145 degrees F for beef, pork veal and lamb
  • 160 degrees F for ground meats
  • 165 degrees F for poultry
  • 165 degrees F for leftovers and casseroles
  • 145 degrees F for fresh ham (raw)
  • 145 degrees F for fin fish or cook until flesh is opaque

Chill 

Put perishable food in the refrigerator right away, within two hours. Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature if it is are not going to be eaten within four hours. Keep your refrigerator below 40 degrees F. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator, in cold water or the microwave. Never thaw it on the counter because bacterial multiply on the parts of food that reach room temperature.

Author
Denver Health Medical Plan Staff Writer


The information contained on this blog is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing contained, expressed or implied in this blog, is intended as medical advice nor should it be construed as such. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, medical diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician or health care provider. It is not meant to and does not cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects and reliance on the information on this blog is at your own risk. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified health care provider about any concerns or questions you have about your medical care and do not disregard professional medical advice based on the information herein. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.