Foodborne illness is a common – yet preventable – public health problem. Ensuring food safety is increasingly more important as food trends change along with the globalization of our food supply.
To prevent foodborne illness, it is necessary to understand how food becomes unsafe to eat and what proactive measures can be taken.
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Ready to start grilling hamburgers? Bacteria is of special concern with ground beef – because when beef is ground – more of the meat surface is exposed to potential harmful bacteria.
For this reason, ground beef must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F, so as to kill all the bacteria and avoid foodborne illness.
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Are you going to celebrate the weekend by throwing a grilling party? Make sure you have a plan that includes food safety and fire safety. Practicing proper food and fire safety principles and procedures are the keys to having a safe weekend full of fun, food, and family time!
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Because tailgate parties are an all-day food grilling and feast, there is an increased risk of foodborne illness.
Cooking outdoors presents a food safety challenge. Not not only does bacteria multiply faster in warmer temperatures, but preparing food outdoors makes safe food handling more challenging. Every good tailgate party starts with a good game plan – that should include food safety.
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Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the most common viral foodborne illness. Norovirus infection is acquired by consuming produce (fruit and vegetables) irrigated with contaminated water contaminated with human or animal feces – or shellfish farmed or harvested in water contaminated with human sewage.
Because only a few norovirus particles can make people sick, infection can also occur by consuming food handled by a person infected with the virus – or being in direct contact with an object, surface, or person that has been infected.
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Dinner and a movie date night? Ditch the leftovers, not your date! Remember, leftovers are only safe for 2 hours at room temperature and won’t last through a movie – and only 1 hour if the temperature is over 90°F.
After that time, bacteria growth can occur and cause food illness. Likewise, during warmer months bacteria multiply faster – so keeping food safe is more challenging.
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Have a conversation about food safety with you children – no matter the age. Basic discussion topics can make a big difference in understanding and preventing a food illness.
Follow basic food safety principles and procedures to help keep you and your family safe.
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Camping and hiking are great ways to exercise and appreciate nature. But they also create hunger – and food that is not packed properly and handled safely can create foodborne illness.
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Raw chicken and poultry may contain harmful bacteria and washing it does not remove the bacteria. This bacteria can also be spread to other items and food – if proper procedures are not followed. The only way to kill bacteria on chicken is by cooking it to a safe internal temperature – as measured by a food thermometer.
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FAT TOM is a mnemonic device used in the food service industry to describe the six favorable conditions required for the growth of foodborne pathogens.
Understanding the optimal conditions for bacterial growth can potentially help you reduce your risk for bacterial infections and food poisoning.
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