November 2006

Germs that cause colds and the flu can spread quickly. Although they usually spread from person to person, they can infect people who touch something covered with viruses and then touch their mouth or nose. To protect yourself from bacteria in your kitchen, follow these steps:

Clean: Clean hands and surfaces often

• Wash your hands before and after handling food.
• Wash your cutting boards, utensils, etc. after preparing each food item.
• Consider using paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, wash them often using the hot cycle of your washing machine.
• Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under water, including those with skins and rinds that aren’t eaten.

Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate one food with another

• Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags, and in your refrigerator.
• Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a different one for raw meat, poultry, etc.
• Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, eggs, etc.
• Use containers for meat and poultry in the refrigerator to keep the juices from dripping on other foods.
• Never re-use marinades that were used on raw foods, unless you bring them to a boil first.

Cook: Cook foods to proper temperatures

Foods are safely cooked when they are heated long enough and at a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria. A food thermometer is the only way to know for sure if the meat is cooked to a safe temperature. Go to the United States Department of Agriculture’s website for recommendations of food temperatures.

Chill: Refrigerate foods promptly

Cold temperatures slow the growth of bacteria, so refrigerate food quickly. But don’t over-stuff the fridge! The circulation of cold air necessary to keep food safe may be blocked. Also keep in mind the following:

• Keep the temperature of the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Keep the freezer temperature at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Plan your shopping so that you buy perishable foods, such as dairy products or meat, at the end of your shopping trip.