Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet

Foodborne illnesses mean business, and you better be serious about it. Every year, the Food and Drug Administration reports that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness. This data corresponds to 1 in 6 Americans affected each year and an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

1. CLEAN: Don’t let bacteria spread into your hands and kitchen!

• Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
• Also wash your hands after going to the bathroom, changing diapers and touching pets.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot soapy water.
• Rinse under running tap water, fresh fruits and vegetables or scrub with a vegetable brush.
• Clean lids of canned goods before opening.

2. SEPARATE: Avoid cross-contamination

Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from ready-to-eat-foods.

• Separate the food mentioned above in your grocery shopping cart, grocery bags and in your refrigerator.
• Use different cutting boards per type of food.
• Do not at all place cooked food on a plate that earlier held raw food or eggs.
• Don’t use marinades again.

3. COOK: Know the right temperature.

Bacteria cannot survive when food reaches the right internal temperature during cooking.

• Use a cooking thermometer and be familiar with safe cooking temperatures here.
• Cook eggs until the yolk and white are done.
• Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil when reheating.

4. CHILL: Refrigerate foods quickly.

Remember that cold temperatures make it hard for bacteria to grow.

• Do not stuff your freezer or refrigerator to the brim. Let the cold air circulate.
• Refrigerate perishables within 2 hours from cooking or purchasing. If the temperature outside is higher than 90°F, refrigerate within an hour. Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the counter top.
• Thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold running water or in the microwave
• Divide leftovers into smaller containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.
• Clean out your fridge regularly.

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