National Food Safety Education Month

September is National Food Safety Education Month. It is a time to focus on learning how to prevent food-borne illness. An estimated one in six Americans get food poisoning each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing how to help prevent you and others from getting sick from food is essential.

Food Poisoning Prevention Tips

The following tips can help prevent food-related illnesses:

• Wash your hands using hot, soapy water before handling food and between touching different types of food.

• Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw and already prepared or cooked foods.

• Clean all preparation surfaces and equipment after each task, especially when handling raw meat.

• Refrigerate or freeze prepared food and leftovers within two hours.

• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Never leave food out on the counter to thaw. Instead, place food in the refrigerator, soak it in cold water or defrost it in the microwave.

• Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours.

• Set your refrigerator temperature to 40º F or below and your freezer to 0º F or below.

• Always ensure foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature using a food thermometer:

  • Beef, veal, lamb and pork—145º F

  • Fish—145º F

  • Ground meats—160º F

  • Poultry—165º F

Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about food-borne illnesses. 

Contact us if you have questions or concerns about your personal or health benefits insurance.