Food Safety Tips For The Holidays

It is officially holiday season. With Thanksgiving kicking off the first of several holidays through the top of the year, the Environmental Health Division of the Will County Health Department (WCHD) has issued food safety tips to get you through the holidays.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving or as some call it, Turkey Day. Reading the label on turkey packaging is very important. It is suggested that turkeys be purchased two days prior to Thanksgiving to avoid freezing and thawing concerns.

However, if using a frozen turkey, it is best not to wait until the last minute and simply have the turkey thaw on the counter. There are three safe ways to thaw the turkey:

1. Thaw in the microwave according to instructions on the label concerning the turkey’s weight

2. Run cold water over the turkey packaging while in the sink. Never wash the turkey itself. Thoroughly cooking the turkey to at least 165 degrees internally will kill any bacteria on or within the turkey.

3. Allow ample time for the turkey to defrost in the refrigerator. If you choose this route, be sure to have a thermometer in the refrigerator so the turkey can defrost at 41 degrees or less.

Similar to handling raw chicken, it is vital that you use separate cutting boards, knives, utensils, and plates for raw turkeys to avoid cross-contamination. Clean and sanitized utensils and dishware should be used for the entire turkey preparation process.

In addition to proper care while handling and preparing turkey, one should also take special precautions with leftovers as well. To prevent bacterial growth, store leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours of the meal. Shallow pans will decrease the cooling time. Also, be sure to eat leftovers within four days of Thanksgiving. And if you’re traveling back home with leftovers from the holidays, store them in a cooler with ice or gel packs.

During this time of year, proper handwashing practices cannot be stressed enough. One should always have plenty of hand soap in the home. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap is just one of the proper hand washing techniques that can be found here.

According to the Environmental Health Director of the WCHD, Tom Casey, washing your hands after a change in tasks is vital, as is proper hand washing supplies. “You want to avoid having a ‘common towel’ in both the kitchen and bathroom. In the kitchen, everyone should use paper towels to dry their hands. In the bathroom, it’s good to have a small stack of individuals towels available.”

As you prep for the holidays, be sure to keep these tips in mind. You can find more information on safe holiday food preparation here.

Image via E M Welch/Shutterstock