Middletown Health Department To Offer Holiday Food Safety Tips At Stop & Shop

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Middletown Health Department staff will offer holiday food safety guidance at Stop & Shop, 416 East Main St., on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the city's announcement. Community members can ask questions about preparing and serving meals safely and pick up free food safety giveaways while supplies last.

The department is partnering with Stop & Shop to help prevent foodborne illness during holiday meal preparation. Its recommendations include keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods and using a food thermometer to check safe internal temperatures.

The department also recommends keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, without leaving perishables at room temperature for extended periods. Recipes calling for raw or lightly cooked eggs should use pasteurized eggs. Turkey and other meats should thaw in the refrigerator, cold water or microwave, never on the kitchen counter.

Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water before, during and after handling food, the department recommends. Staff at the store will answer residents' questions and provide guidance on holiday meal safety.

Source: “HEALTH DEPARTMENT PARTNERS WITH STOP & SHOP TO PROMOTE HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY” (middletownct.gov)