Food Safety Guidelines Part 1

Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

Cross-contamination is the scientific word for how bacteria can be spread from one food product to another. This is especially true when handling raw meat, poultry and seafood, so keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods. Here’s how to fight bacteria:

> Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.

> If possible, use a different cutting board for raw meat products.

> Always wash hands, cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw meat, poultry and seafood.

> Never place cooked food on a plate which previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.

Right now, there may be an invisible enemy ready to strike. Bacteria and he can make you and those you care about sick. In fact, even though you can’t see or smell bacteria, millions may have already invaded the food you eat.

But you have the power to fight bacteria and to keep food safe from harmful bacteria. It’s as easy as following these four simple steps:

Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, sponges and counter tops. Here’s how to fight bacteria:

> Wash your hands with hot soapy water before handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets.

> Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food.

> Use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards. These boards should be run through the dishwasher—or washed in hot soapy water—after use.

> Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.