Everyone looks forward to sitting down to a delicious feast with family and friends during the holidays.
Digging into that beautiful turkey and stuffing, and all our favorites is what some look forward to all
year! So, don’t be one of many Americans who will get sick from food poisoning. Follow these simple
steps and have a safe holiday!

• Keep it clean, handwashing is the first step in protection. It's also the best way to keep

uninvited guests like bacteria out of your kitchen. Make sure food preparation surfaces and
utensils are clean before cooking. Using a sanitizing wipe is an easy way to make sure no
bacteria is present, and you’ll want to do this again after handling raw turkey.

• Separate, don’t cross contaminate foods and surfaces. Use a separate cutting board for raw

meat, poultry, or seafood. Use another for any foods like vegetables and salad that won’t be
cooked before serving. Use hot soapy water to wash any plates, utensils, or cutting boards
that touched the raw meat, and eggs before using them again. Many people who wash or
rinse poultry cross-contaminate other food items being prepared. And remember that brining
meat or poultry doesn’t kill bacteria.

•  Cook foods to the proper temperature; that’s the only way to kill bacteria. When you think your

food is done, place a food thermometer in the thickest part of the food, making sure not to
touch bone, fat, or gristle.

•  Chill leftovers. Always refrigerate perishable foods within two hours: bacteria can grow rapidly

in the “danger zone” between 41°F and 135°F. Also, when serving, keep hot food hot, and cold
food cold. And remember to thaw meat, poultry, or seafood in the refrigerator, not on the
counter. That goes for marinating foods, too.
Dessert is by far the favorite of most, so remember to never eat raw dough or batter when making
cookies, cakes, and other baked goodies. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain
germs like E.coli and salmonella.
Stay safe this holiday and enjoy the fruits of your labor! For more information on holiday cooking and
food safety, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Keep Food Safety in Mind
during the Upcoming Holidays