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Food Safety

There are a number of things you can do to avoid getting sick from what you eat at home and in restaurants.

Before You Prepare Food

  • Wash your hands. If children are helping you, make sure they wash their hands as well.
  • Wash counters and cooking tools with hot, soapy water before and after preparing foods.
  • Separate raw meats from other foods to avoid the spread of any germs they may contain while raw.
  • Use separate cutting boards for fresh fruits and vegetables and raw meat, poultry and fish.

Cooking

  • Use a food thermometer: Recommended temperature for red meat is 160 degrees F and 180 degrees F for poultry. Check thermometer instructions to make sure you use it properly.
  • Check for signs that meat and poultry are cooked all the way through on the inside. Red meat should be brown or gray inside; poutry juices should run clearn; fish should flake with a fork.
  • Keep hot foods hot.
  • Refrigerate leftovers within two hours or throw them out.

Additional Resources