Food Safety

Always wash your hands in hot soapy water before handling food, especially after using the bathroom, changing babies or playing with pets. Wash cutting boards, knives, utensils and counter tops in hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next one.

Plastic and other non-porous cutting boards are recommended, and should be run through the dishwasher or washed in hot soapy water after use. For clean up, paper towels are preferable to dishcloths and sponges because they are disposable. If used, sponges and dishcloths should be run often through the dishwasher's hot cycle.
Separating raw animal products from ready-to-eat foods keeps bacteria from spreading into your finished meals.

Separating raw meats, poultry and seafood from other purchases at the store (by isolating them in separate plastic bags, for example) and storing them in the bottom of the refrigerator will prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. As mentioned, always wash cutting boards, knives and counter tops with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw animal products. Another good tip: never place cooked meats back on the same platter used to hold them while raw.

Volume 1 Issue 13 December 2002		<Prev	Next>
Volume 1 Issue 13 December 2002
"Food Safety: This Holiday Season, Go Back to Basics"...


Testing, however, can't guarantee that the particular meats or poultry that you purchase won't contain illness-causing microorganisms. The best thing you can do to protect your family from food-borne illness is to adopt proper food-handling habits to prevent spreading and kill any germs that might be present Practicing Food Safety at Home Experts break down safe food-handling practices into four basic categories: cleaning, separating, cooking and refrigerating. According to the Partnership for Food Safety Education (found at http://www.safetyissues.info/magazine/CurrentIssue/food-safety/www.fightbac.org), these four areas cover the fundamentals you need to know to practice food safety at home. Cleaning your hands, food preparation area and tools is essential to prevent bacteria from spreading on your cutting boards, knives, sponges and counter tops.	Always wash your hands in hot soapy water before handling food, especially after using the bathroom, changing babies or playing with pets. Wash cutting boards, knives, utensils and counter tops in hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next one. Plastic and other non-porous cutting boards are recommended, and should be run through the dishwasher or washed in hot soapy water after use. For clean up, paper towels are preferable to dishcloths and sponges because they are disposable. If used, sponges and dishcloths should be run often through the dishwasher's hot cycle. Separating raw animal products from ready-to-eat foods keeps bacteria from spreading into your finished meals. Separating raw meats, poultry and seafood from other purchases at the store (by isolating them in separate plastic bags, for example) and storing them in the bottom of the refrigerator will prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. As mentioned, always wash cutting boards, knives and counter tops with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw animal products. Another good tip: never place cooked meats back on the same platter used to hold them while raw.

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"Food Safety: This Holiday Season, Go Back to Basics"...