Choose and use these kitchen tools and tips every time you prepare food to help prevent food poisoning.

Kitchen sink

  • Wash your hands for 20 secondswith soap and running water. Scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before Germs can spread from the outside to the inside of fresh produce as you cut or peel.
  • Do not wash raw meat, poultry, or eggs. Washing these foods can actually spread germs because juices may splash onto your sink or counters.

 

Cutting board and utensils

  • Use separate cutting boards, plates, and knives for produce and for raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
  • Clean with hot, soapy water or in dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe) after each use.

 

Thermometer

  • Use a food thermometer to make sure food cooked in the oven or on the stove top or grill reaches a temperature hot enough to kill germs.
  • Safe minimum cooking temperatures:
  • All poultry, including ground: 165°F
  • Ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal: 160°F
  • Beef, pork, lamb, and veal chops, roasts, and steaks: 145°F
  • Fish: 145°F

 

Microwave

  • Know your microwave’s wattage. Lower wattage means longer cooking time.
  • Follow recommended cooking and standing times to allow for additional cooking after microwaving stops. Letting food sit for a few minutes after microwaving allows cold spots to absorb heat from hotter areas and cook more completely.
  • When reheating, use a food thermometer to make sure that microwaved food reaches 165°F.

 

Refrigerator

  • Keep your refrigerator between 40˚Fand 32˚F, and your freezer at 0˚F or below.
  • Refrigerate fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and meats within 2 hours. (Refrigerate within1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90ºF.)
  • Divide warm foods into several clean, shallow containers so they will chill faster.
  • Store raw meat on the bottom shelf, away from fresh produce and ready-to-eat food.
  • Throw out foods left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours.
  • Thaw or marinate foods in the refrigerator.

 

Computer or mobile devices

 

This article is courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information on food safety, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/features/food-safety-smarts/index.html.