Food Safety Tips

September 25, 2023

 

  

SHOP SAFE

Keeping food safe starts at the grocery store.

• Make sure you Wrap raw meat, poultry and seafood in plastic bags from the produce department to prevent juices from leaking onto other foods and choose packaging that is well sealed and not leaking.
• Separate fresh or frozen raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from produce and ready-to-eat foods in your shopping cart.
• Pack frozen and refrigerated foods separately from room temperature foods.

STORE SAFE

• When you bring your groceries home make sure you refrigerate or freeze groceries right away.
• Prevent juices from meat, poultry and seafood from leaking onto other foods by storing them on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator in individual plastic bags or in their own containers.
• Store perishable fruits and vegetables in individual plastic bags in the produce drawer. This keeps them safe from yeast, mold and microbes that may lurk in the drawer.

PREPARE SAFE

• When you are ready to begin preparing food, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. And wash them again before and after handling raw meats and foods, as well as between tasks.
• Raw meats, poultry and seafood should not be washed before cooking.

• Be aware of the tools used during cooking — never use the same knife for raw meat, poultry or seafood to chop produce or ready-to-eat foods.
• Investing in two different cutting boards, one for produce and one for raw meat, can go a long way in preventing cross-contamination in your kitchen. Since grooves from old cutting boards can harbor bacteria, replace cutting boards as soon as they become worn.
• Keep dishcloths, counters and other surfaces clean.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your family stays healthy and avoids contaminated foods.