In addition to Suicide Awareness and Childhood Obesity Awareness, September is also dedicated to Food Safety & Education Awareness. This month public health and other care professionals are taking an active role in ensuring people are taking necessary steps to prevent food-borne illnesses also know as food poisoning. You too can be a food safety champion by taking these necessary steps when handling and preparing food, in order to protect yourself and your family from illness.
Wash your hands before and during food handling and preparation. Always use clean utensils and sanitize used surfaces.
When preparing meals, always separate raw foods, meats, seafood, and eggs from cooked foods and fresh vegetables.
When cooking food, it is best to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you do not have one be sure to fully cook all foods at a desired temperature to kill germs and bacteria.
Be sure to refrigerate all perishable and leftover foods within two hours of cooking. During warmer weather it is best to refrigerate these foods within one hour.
