Food poisoning or foodborne illnesses may occur when we consume food or beverages that contain harmful germs such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Following these guidelines may help to protect you from contracting a foodborne illness:
- Check the “sell by”, “use by”, or any other expiration dates before preparing foods. Foods that have expired are more likely to cause food poisoning.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds before and after handling food.
- Cook raw foods such as meat, poultry, and seafood to safe internal temperatures.
- Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw meats, poultry, and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Keep foods at their appropriate temperature when serving and storing. This prevents the growth of bacteria. Source: www.healthfinder.govTo learn more, visit sites such as https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/index.html, www.ServSafe.com, and www.FoodSafety.gov