It can be stressful to juggle holiday dinners: the number of dishes to prepare piles up quick so boy would it be helpful to have another oven. Plus, friends and family are visiting so you still have to play host. In all the chaos, simple cooking rules- like keeping your work area clean- can fall to the side. But those slips can cause food poisoning for you and your loved ones. Here are some quick tips on how to keep your family safe from food-borne illnesses this holiday season when prepping for your party:
#1: Meat should be kept separate from other foods- and that includes all knives and cutting boards you use for them too. Don’t double dip the knife you used to cut raw chicken for cutting up the potatoes unless you washed it first.
#2: Thawing meat does not mean leaving it on the counter where dangerous bacteria can grow. Thaw frozen meats by putting them in the refrigerator the night before, or in the sink with ice. Remember that raw meat can only be left in the fridge for one to two days to thaw before it starts growing bacteria. And if you do use the sink, make sure to change the ice every half an hour to keep the meat cold.
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#3: Dish towels are often overlooked and overused – if used for too long they can grow bacteria. You don’t want to be drying your hands after you washed them on the same towel that you wiped a knife or counter down with. If a towel is dirty or wet, throw it in the laundry and grab a new one.
Improperly cooked or stored food can cause severe bouts of food poison – not something to look forward to this holiday season. Symptoms can start as quickly as a few hours after eating, or they can start days or even weeks later. If you are in extreme pain and it is lasting for more than three days, visit a CareWell Urgent Care center. Their team of doctors can alleviate your symptoms and get you back to celebrating in no time.
