(Carrick Pharmacy News) Extra care in the kitchen can easily minimize the risk of foodborne illness and ensure a happy and healthy family Thanksgiving this year.
Holiday meals — particularly those featuring turkey — have been linked to foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens.
1) Separate: Don’t Cross-Contaminate
Raw eggs, poultry and meat can spread bacteria to ready-to-eat foods. This is called cross-contamination.
To prevent cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards, utensils and plates for raw eggs, poultry and meat. Furthermore, always wash your hands, counters and utensils after touching raw foods, such as turkey, and before starting on other foods.
Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before, during and after preparing food, as well as before eating. Furthermore, be sure to wash all surfaces, including your cutting boards, countertops and utensils, with hot, soapy water.
2) Thaw Your Bird Correctly
When the bird begins to thaw, any bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again. The “danger zone” for bacteria to grow is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave oven.
Follow these steps for a safe thawing process:
Refrigerator:
i) Immediately after you buy the frozen turkey at the grocery store, take it home and store it in the freezer. Thawing your bird on the kitchen counter, outside or in the garage is a food safety no-no.
ii) When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, plan to allow it to thaw for 24 hours for each four to five pounds (at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below). For example, thaw a 16- to 20-pound turkey for four to five days. Be sure to place the turkey in a container to prevent the juices from dripping on ready-to-eat foods.
It is important to note that you can keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking. If you are planning to use cold water or a microwave to defrost the turkey, know that birds thawed in cold water or in the microwave will have to be cooked immediately.
Cold Water:
i) Make sure the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination. This also prevents the turkey from absorbing water.
ii) Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water.
iii) Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed.
iv) Allow about 30 minutes per pound to defrost.
Microwave:
i) Follow the instructions from your microwave’s manufacturer when defrosting your turkey.
3) Stuffing Safety
It is safest to cook stuffing outside the turkey, such as in its own casserole dish. This also helps ensure uniform cooking.
If dressing is cooked inside the turkey, add it just before cooking and use a food thermometer to ensure the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached this temperature, which could result in foodborne illness.
It is best to wait 20 minutes after removing the turkey from the oven before removing the stuffing — this allows the stuffing to cook a little longer.
4) Cook to the Right Temperature
Turkey is ready for consumption only after it has been cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees. The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer and checking in multiple spots to ensure the turkey has been cooked thoroughly.
The cooking time will depend on the weight of the turkey.
To ensure the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, insert a food thermometer into the center of the stuffing, the thickest portions of the breast, and the innermost parts of the thigh and wing.
5) Put Away Leftovers
Many families leave out a buffet of food for hours to allow family members to get seconds or simply because they’re exhausted from cooking and too stuffed to begin putting food away.
The rule of thumb is to refrigerate perishable food within two hours. This is because bacteria can multiply very quickly if left out in the “danger zone,” which is between 40°F and 140°F.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services have released a range of resources — from smartphone apps to a “meat and poultry hotline” — to help guide consumers safely through the holiday season. The meat and poultry hotline can be reached at 1-888-674-6854. The app can be found under the name “FoodKeeper App.” The app can help you decide what is safe to use and what you should throw away. These resources also offer guidance on safe ways to keep your leftovers.
