DOH in St. Johns County encourages proper food safety this holiday season
The weather is getting cooler, the family is coming into town, and the kitchen is about to smell amazing.
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That’s right, holiday feasts are just around the corner, and the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is reminding the community to protect themselves from foodborne illnesses this season.
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For this Thanksgiving — and all holiday celebrations — St. Johns County’s DOH is reminding people to follow these “4 Steps to Food Safety”:
Clean – Regularly wash hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after food preparation, especially after preparing meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood. Be sure to keep all food-prep work areas clean with hot, soapy water.
Separate – Don’t cross contaminate! Keep raw meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, and all related juices away from prepared and ready-to-eat foods. A cutting board used for meats should not be used for other foods like vegetables, fruits, herbs, and cheeses.
Cook – Cook foods to the proper temperature. Avoid serving any undercooked or spoiled food products. Many food products and recipes call for specific internal cooking temperatures. Do not rely on appearance or touch to determine if food is cooked properly. Use a reliable food-grade thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to the proper temperature. Remember, leftovers should be reheated the next day to 165° Fahrenheit prior to serving.
Chill – Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within two hours. Make sure the refrigerator is set no higher than 40° and the freezer is set at 0° Fahrenheit. Remember, food stored at unsafe temperatures (above 41° and below 140° Fahrenheit), can cause bacteria to quickly multiply, making food unsafe for human consumption.
The DOH says that foodborne illnesses can cause severe health symptoms. This can lead to hospitalization and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.
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Symptoms of foodborne illness can include nausea, vomiting, or fever. Babies, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk for these illnesses; however, anyone who eats improperly handled or undercooked foods is potentially vulnerable.
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For more information on how to stay safe from foodborne illness this holiday season, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website by clicking here.
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