Fireworks aren’t the only cause for concern on the 4th of July
Protect your family from food poisoning by taking these four simple steps:
- Wash your hands and food-preparation surfaces often. Germs can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils and cutting boards. Rinse fresh fruit and vegetables under running water.
- Don’t cross-contaminate. Even after you’ve cleaned your hands and surfaces thoroughly, raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can still spread germs to ready-to-eat foods – unless you keep them separate.
- Cook to the right temperature. Use a food thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature: 145 degrees Fahrenheit for whole meats (allowing the meat to cool for 3 minutes before carving or consuming), 160 degrees Fahrenheit for ground meats and 165 degrees Fahrenheit for all poultry.
- Keep your refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and refrigerate foods promptly. Germs can grow in many foods within 2 hours unless you refrigerate them. During the summer heat, but that time down to 1 hour.
For more information on food safety, get your copy of “Ace Your Life – Life Management Skills Made Easy” today!
Stay safe and well this 4th of July!