Food Safety to Keep Your Festivities Safe and Joyful
As the holiday season approaches, families and friends gather to celebrate with festive meals. Ensuring food safety is key to prevent foodborne illnesses and keep the holiday cheer alive. “While the four steps to food safety---clean, separate, cook and chill are important every day, we should pay close attention to them during the holidays,” says Tammy King, RS, Environmental Health Specialist, Langlade County Health Department. “Food is an important part of many holiday celebrations, so we do not want food related illness to ruin your holiday,” she added.
Follow these essential tips to enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season:
Key Food Safety Tips:
Clean: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Clean surfaces and utensils thoroughly after preparing each food item.
Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables.
Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure meat, poultry, and seafood are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Turkey should reach at least 165°F in the thickest part.
Chill: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Food at temperatures between 42F and 134F grow bacteria rapidly. Move product through that danger zone quickly.
Additional Tips:
Wash your hands! With soap and water often.
Thaw Safely: Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Avoid Rinsing Poultry: Rinsing poultry can spread bacteria around the kitchen. Cooking kills the bacteria on the poultry.
Store Properly: Keep perishable items in the refrigerator at or below 41°F.
Do not eat raw dough or batter. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain harmful germs.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for everyone. Happy holidays and safe feasting!
For more information visit langladecountyhealth.org.
