Food Safety for Consumers

Consumers must make informed decisions regarding the foods they consume. To ensure that your home-prepared meals are tasty and safe to eat, check your food purchase and preparation practices.

Do You:

• Shop for dry goods first and refrigerated/frozen items last while grocery shopping?



• Return straight home and immediately put away refrigerated/frozen foods?



• Keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit?



• Follow food label instructions and adhere to use-by dates on food containers?



• Keep raw meat/fish/poultry separate from other foods?



• Thaw frozen foods in your refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter?



• Wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after preparing food?



• Wash knives, cutting boards and utensils thoroughly in hot, sudsy water after use?



• Clean and sanitize kitchen sinks, countertops, refrigerator interiors, etc.?



• Rinse fruits and vegetables well and scrub firm produce with a clean brush before eating?



• Use a food thermometer to verify that foods are cooked to recommended temperatures?



• Transfer cooked meats, fish, poultry, etc. to clean plates before serving?



• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers immediately after a meal?



• Consume refrigerated leftovers within 2 to 3 days and thoroughly cook reheated leftovers?

If not, you and your family may be at risk for foodborne illness. Avoid shortcuts or time-savers that compromise food safety - take the time to prepare and serve food safely in your home.

For more information on consumer food safety, visit : www.FoodSafety.gov and www.fightbac.org


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