With warmer weather and summer temperatures fast approaching, it’s important to keep safe foods safe to eat for you and your family. Foodborne illness can be easily avoided by following a few practical food safety steps. Here are a few to help keep your summer fun and enjoyable for everyone.
- When grilling, cook ground beef and burgers to an internal temperature of at least 160ºF. Poultry parts should be grilled to at least 165ºF. Be certain to use a meat thermometer to assure your food has reached the right temperature to ensure safety.
- Frozen foods should be thawed out in the refrigerator not on the kitchen counter.
- Be sure to refrigerate or freeze leftovers in a timely manner – usually within two hours of purchase of preparation.
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after preparing food. Be certain to wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and even after playing with pets.
- When in doubt about the way a food looks or smells, throw it out.
For more information about foodborne illness and other food safety resources for the summer or at anytime during the year, please visit A Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety Risks, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline or the Partnership for Food Safety Education.
In addition, check out the following food safety video: “How to Tell When Food Has Gone Bad”
