September is National Food Safety Month!
This year’s theme, “Everyone’s Table,” is built around the idea that every person eats, and food safety should be a part of that shared experience no matter where a meal takes place. Whether someone is eating in a school cafeteria, a break room, at a dining room table, in a car, or some other setting, they deserve the same safe experience.
Food safety doesn’t stop once you leave the kitchen. Wherever you eat, whether that’s a kitchen table, a break room, or your car, food safety still matters. Join in bringing awareness to safe food practices that help to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Help share this information and take collective efforts in sharing food safety information. You can help prevent food poisoning by following a few simple habits, no matter where you are eating.
Follow these four steps and the food at your table will be safe to enjoy:
- CLEAN! Wash your hands often with soap and water, including right before you eat at your table
- SEPARATE! Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods like fresh fruit and vegetables so that everything gets to your table safe
- COOK! Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked to a safe internal temperature
- CHILL! Refrigerate or freeze meat and other perishable foods quickly after you’re done at the table
Find safe cooking temperatures for meat, poultry, and eggs, plus more tips for preparing food safely: www.fightbac.org/food-safetybasics/the-core-four-practices/
Sources:
- CDC, FDA, USDA
Partnership for Food Safety Education Four Food Safety Practices to Follow at Home | Partnership for Food Safety Education