Four steps to food safety
Public Service Announcement
Four steps to food safety
Start Date: December 22, 2014
End Date: December 31, 2014
Iqaluit, NU 75 sec
The holiday season is here, and the Government of Nunavut Department of Health would like to remind everyone of the importance of proper food handling.
There are four easy steps you can take now and throughout the year to ensure you are handling food properly for the health of your friends and family:
Wash!
o Wash your hands with warm soapy water before and after handling food.
o Clean and sanitize cutting boards, countertops and utensils.
o All fresh fruits and vegetables need to be washed before preparing or serving.
Separate!
o Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices separate.
o Never place cooked food on an unwashed plate.
o Use separate cutting boards for produce and vegetables, and a separate cutting board for meat, poultry and seafood.
Cook!
o Harmful germs can live on some foods if the food isn’t cooked properly.
o Store-bought meat and poultry, egg dishes, casseroles and leftovers should always be cooked so that the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs.
o Cook ground meat thoroughly until the juices run clear.
o Keep hot food hot.
o Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil when reheating.
Chill!
o Don’t let food sit out at room temperature. Harmful germs grow quickly at room temperature.
o Put foods that are likely to spoil in the refrigerator or freezer immediately after purchase.
o Never thaw at room temperature.
o Serve food right away and refrigerate or freeze perishable food or prepared food (like takeout and leftovers) within two hours.
If you have more questions, contact your environmental health officer.
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For More Information Contact:
Ron Wassink
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5710