It's Sunday evening and the whole family gathers around the table for a tasty meal. This is precious time. A time to relax. A moment to sit back and enjoy each other's company. A time when you don't want uninvited guests – such as harmful bacteria – to crash your food. For a healthy meal, here are some simple, often forgotten, food safety tips that will help prevent unwanted bacteria.
1. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before cooking and after using raw materials such as meat, poultry, eggs and flour. Did you know that 97 percent of people fail to wash their hands properly while preparing a meal?
2. Follow cooking instructions on frozen food packaging for food safety and quality. Although freezing food prevents the multiplication of bacteria, the only way to ensure that your food is safe to eat is to cook it at the correct temperature.
3. Rinsing raw poultry (or other raw meat) in the sink is not a safe option! Washing chicken spreads bacteria around your sink, countertop and your hands.
4. Do not eat batter or dough that contains raw eggs or raw flour! Raw eggs and raw flour can contain harmful bacteria that can make you and your family sick. Food is cooked or baked properly when heated long enough and to a temperature high enough to destroy harmful bacteria.
5. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe internal temperature. Check the packaging for what that is or ask the butcher otherwise.
