Food Safety Tips
- Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands (as in Row, Row, Row Your Boat). Always, wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
- Marinating Mandate: When marinating for long periods of time, it is important to keep foods refrigerated. Don't use sauce that was used to marinate raw meat or poultry on cooked food. Boil used marinade before applying to cooked food.
- Hot, Hot, Hot: When grilling foods, preheat the coals on your grill for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the coals are lightly coated with ash.
- Temperature Gauge: Use a meat thermometer to insure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Where's the Beef? Chicken and Fish?: Hamburgers should be cooked to 160º F, while large cuts of beef such as roasts and steaks may be cooked to 145º F for medium rare or to 160º F for medium. Cook ground poultry to 165° F and poultry parts to 170° F. Fish should be opaque and flake easily.
- Stay Away from that Same Old Plate: When taking foods off the grill, do not put cooked food items back on the same plate that previously held raw food.
- Icebox Etiquette: A full cooler will maintain its cold temperatures longer than one that is partially filled so it is important to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs to ensure a constant cold temperature.
* This information and more can be found at www.fightbac.org.
Food Allergy Awareness (FAQs)
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is the body's negative reaction to a particular protein in food. The immune system mistakes the food as harmful and triggers the body to defend itself.
What are the common food allergens?
The 8 most common food allergens are: peanuts & tree nuts (almonds, walnuts and pecans), fish, shellfish, eggs, wheat, dairy products and soy.
Can adults develop food allergies? Can a person outgrow an allergy?
Yes, adults can develop food allergies. They may not be allergic to any foods their entire life and then suddenly become allergic to a food. In some cases, individuals outgrow their allergies, but this is not always the case.
What are some of the symptoms of a food allergic reaction?
Symptoms vary from person to person but can include, swelling of mouth or throat, rash, hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and in rare severe cases death.
How long does it take for symptoms of an allergic reaction to appear?
It depends on how sensitive the individual is to the food allergen. Usually the symptoms of an allergic reaction occur within a few minutes to an hour after consuming the food allergen. In rare cases, there is a secondary reaction several hours later.
Do all foods containing food allergens need to be labeled?
Effective January 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring food labels to clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that contain protein derived from the eight major allergenic foods. As a result of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), manufacturers are required to identify in plain English the presence of ingredients that contain protein derived from milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soybeans in the list of ingredients or to say "contains" followed by name of the source of the food allergen after or adjacent to the list of ingredients.
How much of the food allergen needs to be consumed to trigger an allergic reaction?
It does not take much of the food allergen to trigger and allergic reaction in some people. Traces of the food allergen may be left on food contact surfaces (pans, dishes, cutting boards, utensils) and hands that have not been adequately washed. Cross-contamination can allow traces of the food allergen to be transferred on to other food contact surfaces and foods.
Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should food be stored at in the refrigerator?
Your home refrigerator should be set to maintain temperature at 40 F or lower. This will help to reduce the risk of food borne illness related to bacteria.
What is the proper procedure for washing hands?
Follow these steps:
- Wet your hands with warm water.
- Add soap to your hands and scrub your hands together for 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub between your fingers and under fingernails where bacteria and other germs can hide.
- Rinse your hands with clean running water.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel or a clean cloth towel.
Can I use a hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
No. Hand sanitizers are meant to be used as an addition to handwashing, not as a substitute. There is no substitute for washing your hands. Hand sanitizers should be applied after you have washed and dried your hands.
How do I check the temperature of cooked food?
Take a clean stemmed thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the food to get an internal temperature. For example, if you wanted to check the temperature of a chicken, insert the thermometer into the breast which is the thickest part.
Can I cook my stuffing in the turkey?
It is recommended that stuffing be cooked separately. However, if you are going to cook the stuffing in your turkey, be sure to check that the internal temperature of the turkey and the stuffing have reached 165 F or higher.
What temperature should I reheat leftovers to?
Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165 F or higher.
Can I thaw meat or poultry out at room temperature?
No. You should not thaw foods out at room temperature as this can allow for harmful bacteria to grow in the food. To thaw foods out safely, use one of these 3 safe methods:
- Thaw foods in the refrigerator at 41 F or lower
- Thaw food under running room temperature water (70 F or lower)
- Thaw food in the microwave and immediately cook it afterwards.
Do melons need to be washed before cutting or slicing them?
Yes. It is very important to wash the outside of all melons before cutting and slicing them. Dirt, bacteria and other microorganisms can be on the outside rinds of melons, which if not washed can get into the melon when you are cutting it.
