Keep Food Safe

Healthy eating is not just about choosing the right ingredients. It’s also about how they’re stored, prepared, and handled from the market to your plate. Protect yourself and your family during Food Safety Education Month — and beyond — by learning 4 basic guidelines to avoiding food-borne illness:

Clean hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling food, especially raw meats and eggs.

Separate uncooked poultry and other meats, using a different cutting board for salads and other ready-to-eat ingredients.

Cook dishes to the appropriate temperature to keep bacteria at bay. Soups and sauces should be brought to a rolling boil. Meats and other items, including leftovers, should be heated to at least 165˚ F. Don’t try to judge by appearance; use a thermometer.

Chill uneaten portions within 2 hours. Make sure the refrigerator is 40˚ F or below. Even though you might not be able to see, smell, or taste it, bacteria could be lurking around your kitchen. Fight back and keep your food — and you — safe from harm.