Cooking 101
4
Food safety: what you should know
1. How long do I need to wash my hands?
To thoroughly get rid of bacteria, you must wash for 20 seconds
with soap and warm water.
2. Clean surfaces before and after handling food
Use antibacterial spray to wash off surfaces before and after
handling all foods.
3. Sponges also sponge up bacteria
Kitchen sponges are the number 1 source of germs in the house
(more than your bathroom!). To kill bacteria, microwave a damp
sponge once a week for one minute. Replace as frequently as
possible, and toss out immediately if your sponge starts to smell.
4. Separate your foods
It is very important to
separate raw meat, poultry,
and seafood from fruits,
vegetables, and cooked
foods when preparing
meals.
5. Cook meat thoroughly
Chicken, pork, hamburger,
sausages, chicken nuggets, kidneys, livers, kebabs, and any meat or
fish that have been minced or skewered should be thoroughly
cooked through (juices run clear).
6. Storing meat and animal products properly
Refrigerate meat, eggs, seafood and other perishables within 2
hours. Store meat/poultry on bottom shelf of refrigerator so as not
to touch or drip on any other food. Cooked meat should always be
stored separately from raw meat.
