Food Safety

Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should food be stored at in the refrigerator?
Your home refrigerator should be set to maintain temperature at 40 F or lower. This will help to reduce the risk of foodborne illness related to bacteria.

What is the proper procedure for washing hands?
Follow these steps:

1. Wet your hands with warm water.
2. Add soap to your hands and scrub your hands together for 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub between your fingers and under fingernails where bacteria and other germs can hide.
3. Rinse your hands with clean running water.
4. Dry your hands with a paper towel or a clean cloth towel.

Can I use a hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
No. Hand sanitizers are meant to be used as an addition to handwashing, not as a substitute. There is no substitute for washing your hands. Hand sanitizers should be applied after you have washed and dried your hands.

How do I check the temperature of cooked food?
Take a clean stemmed thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the food to get an internal temperature. For example, if you wanted to check the temperature of a chicken, insert the thermometer into the breast which is the thickest part.

Can I cook my stuffing in the turkey?
It is recommended that stuffing be cooked separately. However, if you are going to cook the stuffing in your turkey, be sure to check that the internal temperature of the turkey and the stuffing have reached 165 F or higher.

What temperature should I reheat leftovers to?
Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165 F or higher.

Can I thaw meat or poultry out at room temperature?
No. You should not thaw foods out at room temperature as this can allow for harmful bacteria to grow in the food. To thaw foods out safely, use one of these 3 safe methods:

1. Thaw foods in the refrigerator at 41 F or lower
2. Thaw food under running room temperature water (70 F or lower)
3. Thaw food in the microwave and immediately cook it afterwards.

Do melons need to be washed before cutting or slicing them?
Yes. It is very important to wash the outside of all melons before cutting and slicing them. Dirt, bacteria and other microorganisms can be on the outside rinds of melons, which if not washed can get into the melon when you are cutting it.

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