Food Safety Tip Sheet

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Buying and Storing Food:

• Separate raw meat and seafood from other foods in your grocery cart and in your refrigerator.
• Food that needs to be refrigerated should be taken directly home from the grocery store.

Before You Start Cooking:

• Wash your hands with hot, soapy water.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water to remove all visible dirt.
• Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator or by using your microwave; do not thaw frozen meat by leaving it out on the counter.
• Never eat or use canned food if the can is bulging or looks like it has a leak in it.

While You Are Cooking:

• Wash your hands with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item (especially if you have touched raw meat).
• Wash cutting boards, utensils, and counter tops after preparing each food item and before going on to the next (especially if they have touched raw meat).
• Never place cooked food on a plate where raw meat was sitting.
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly (cook meat until it is no longer pink).

When You Are Done Cooking:

• Put food that needs to be refrigerated back in the refrigerator quickly.
• If you have food that you want to save for later, do not leave it out for more than two hours; put it in the refrigerator or freezer.
• If you think that food may be spoiled, throw it away; do not test the food by tasting it.