Avoid the unwanted gift of food poisoning: CDC’s four key steps to food safety
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) -
The United States food supply ranks among the safest in the world, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that annually, approximately 1 in 6 Americans face illness, with 128,000 individuals requiring hospitalization and 3,000 succumbing to foodborne diseases.
To prevent food poisoning, the CDC recommends four essential steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
Many surfaces in your kitchen, such as countertops, utensils, and cutting boards, can harbor and sustain the survival of germs. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap before, during, and after meal preparation.
The health agency advises using separate cutting boards for meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs, ensuring their isolation from ready-to-eat foods.
Salmonella and other potentially harmful germs can exist on both the exterior and interior of eggs that appear normal. Numerous festive classics, such as eggnog, tiramisu, and salad dressings, incorporate raw eggs. The CDC recommends using pasteurized eggs to ensure safety when preparing these and similar dishes.
For thorough cooking, use a thermometer to guarantee the food is properly cooked; it eliminates harmful germs. Allow roasts, chops, steaks, and fresh ham to rest for 3 minutes once removed from the oven or grill.
Individuals aged 65 and older, children under 5, expectant mothers, and those grappling with health conditions like diabetes, liver or kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, or cancer face a higher risk of getting food poisoning.
