Food Safety Tips for the Holidays

Colder weather is settling in and it’s time for warm cider, pumpkin spice lattes, deep-fried turkeys and visits from the relatives this holiday season.

Kids love being involved in cooking pies, cookies and other sweet treats, while most of us love to overindulge on all of the fantastic food.

With an overindulgence of foods like turkey, ham and potato salad, folks should be mindful of ways to keep food safe.

– Wash your hands. Possibly one of the easiest ways to prevent a foodborne illness is to keep your hands clean. Ensure you wash your hands prior to handling food, in between different tasks, after using the restroom, and after touching something such as your nose, hair, face, or pets. You should wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to minimize cross contamination.

– Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces. Counters, cutting boards, knives, and other dishes should be washed after each use and prior to being used for a different food item. Keep in mind that cloth rags can harbor bacteria if not properly cleaned; therefore, you can use paper towels with a homemade sanitizing solution (one capful of bleach per a gallon of water) to clean surfaces as needed.

– Keep foods separated. Along with using separate utensils, foods should also be physically separated. Raw meats should go on the bottom shelf of a refrigerator, below any ready-to-eat foods. Foods should also be prepared on separate areas of the counter.

– Invest in a food thermometer. Improper temperatures are a major factor in bacterial growth in food, which can lead to a food borne illness.