Prevent Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea from Food Poisoning #Foodsafety #Publichealth

4 C’s of Summertime, all-the-time   

1) Clean  

Wash you hands often! Sanitize and clean your sinks and counter tops. Rinse all fruits and vegetables before eating them - even if they are organically grown.

2) Check 
Check what foods you’re preparing: Keep raw meats and ready-to-eat foods separate from each other to avoid cross contamination.

3) Cook 
Cook to the proper internal temperatures. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature. Be sure your thermometer is sanitized, clean and calibrated so your temperature is accurate.

4) Chill 
Refrigerate food right away. The temperature should be below 41°F. A thermometer in your refrigerator makes it easy to check.

Prevent Summer Sickness

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 76 million people in the United States get some form of food sickness and food poisoning every year? Food poisoning can leave you with flu-like symptoms, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea from harmful bacteria, toxins, viruses or parasites. The good news is that it can be prevented.

Avoid the Danger Zone

The FDA Food Code now identifies the temperature danger zone that most of these foodborne pathogens thrive in as between 41°F and 135°F (5°C and 57°C). For foods to be safe cold foods must be refrigerated at 41°F or below and cooked foods must be kept hot at above 135°F. It should be noted that when reheating cooked foods, the temperature should first be reheated to above 165°F for at least 15 seconds for the food to be safe. According to the FDA, foods should not be held hot for longer than 4 hours.

Easy Food Safety Tips
Get yourself a few food thermometers and a refrigerator thermometer if you don't have them already. Remember my food safety 4 C’s: Clean, Check and separate, Cook to the proper internal temperature and Chill in the fridge at a cool temperature below 41°F and above 32°F [32°F (0°C) is freezing].

Enjoy your summer in good health. Follow GardenCuizine's 4 C’s of Summertime, all the time!  Help your family and friends be food safe. Share this link with those you care about: Homefoodsafety.org.

"For helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods' Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at www.homefoodsafety.org"

Related Links:  
Grilling Guide/Safe temperatures for foods  
Use a Food Thermometer 
Blog Article © 2011 D.Wind. All rights reserved.
Photos courtesy of USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service