Health department offers food safety tips
Planning for holiday meals should include more than a delicious menu and invited guests. The McHenry County Department of Health wants residents to practice safe food handling, as well. Keeping �hot things hot (more than 135 degrees) and cold things cold� can reduce your risk of a food-borne illness. Other safety tips: � Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator (allow one day for each 5 pounds of weight plus an extra day or two). � Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling foods. � Clean all kitchen surfaces before you begin cooking. � Scrub cutting boards with hot soapy water after preparing food to avoid cross contamination. � Use a metal-stemmed food thermometer to ensure that food is cooked to the proper temperature. Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Poultry, stuffed pasta and reheated foods should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Ground meats, pork and eggs sho...