Are you using these safe food handling procedures?
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EmailTemperature control, proper storage, preventing cross-contamination and safe preparation can cut down on risk of foodborne illness.
Keeping food safe involves following multiple food safety practices. Four areas to focus on include: safe preparation, temperature control, preventing cross-contamination and proper storage. Michigan State University Extension recommends the guidelines below for safely handling food in each of these areas.
Preparation
There are simple but important steps to follow when preparing food. Always start by washing hands with warm, running water and soap for at least 20 seconds before beginning food preparation. Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other food. After cutting raw meats, wash cutting board, utensils and countertops with hot, soapy water. Rinse produce under running water and use a vegetable brush on tough-skinned vegetables.
Temperature control
- Monitor the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer with an appliance thermometer. The refrigerator should be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and the freezer at 0 degreesor below. Foods that are allowed to reach temperatures in the temperature danger zone between 40-140 degrees are at greater risk for bacterial growth, which can lead to a foodborne illness.
- Refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or one hour when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Thaw foods only in refrigeration, under running water, in the microwave on defrost setting or as part of cooking process.
- Cook food to the minimum internal recommended temperature and check by using a food thermometer.
Preventing cross-contamination
Cross-contamination happens when food, utensils and hands come into contact with harmful bacteria like juices from raw meat, poultry or fish. To avoid this, use separate cutting boards for meats and other raw foods and ready to eat foods. Keep food preparation areas and surfaces clean and sanitized. When grocery shopping, keep raw meat separate from other foods by using the plastic bags at the store to put those raw items in. This will help to prevent leaking or dripping of raw juices on other ready-to-eat foods in your refrigerator.
Proper storage
All stored foods should be maintained at proper temperatures, covered, labeled and rotated. Use food-grade containers, these are containers that are intended for food. They should be easy to clean, airtight, smooth and durable. It is important to label foods with a date when they will be stored. The Food Keeper app can help you understand proper food and beverage storage. It will help you maximize the freshness and quality of items, so you are able to keep items fresh longer than if they were not stored properly.
Following these practices can reduce your risk of foodborne illness, keeping you and your family safe.
