During the holiday season, one of our favorite habits is dinners with our family and friends.
The following tips relate to the prevention of food-borne illnesses caused by the consumption of contaminated food.
What experts recommend
• Keep foods separate
Store meat, seafood, and eggs separately from other foods in the refrigerator, in sealed containers or plastic bags.
Store eggs in their original packaging in the refrigerator (not in the refrigerator door).
• Cook the meat sufficiently
Adjust the oven temperature to at least 160 degrees Celsius. Place the thawed meat in a suitable container.
Cooking the turkey stuffing in a separate container ensures that the stuffing is cooked through. If you are cooking the stuffing inside the turkey, put it in just before roasting.
It is recommended to use a cooking thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the meat and the center of the filling reaches 74 degrees Celsius.
After removing the turkey from the oven, leave the stuffing inside it for about 20 minutes.
• Keep foods at safe temperatures
After preparing food, store it at safe temperatures, whether for hot or cold foods.
Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible, within 2 hours of preparation. If foods are exposed to temperatures above 32°C (eg during transport), refrigerate within 1 hour.
The temperature of the refrigerator must be ≤4°C, while the temperature of the freezer ≤-18°C.
• Melting meat
Place the meat in a container in the refrigerator.
In a plastic bag in the sink with cold water (change the water every 30 minutes).
In the microwave, following the instructions of the device.
Do not let the meat thaw outside the refrigerator. If the meat sits at room temperature for more than 2 hours, bacteria can multiply. Temperatures between 4°C and 60°C are considered dangerous for the growth of bacteria.
• Use pasteurized eggs
Pasteurized eggs are recommended for dishes containing raw eggs, such as tiramisu, Caesar sauces or lemon juice and egg dishes.
• Do not consume unbaked dough
Dough containing flour and/or eggs may contain bacteria such as Salmonella spp. Do not try or allow children to try unbaked cookie or cake dough.
For washing hands
Remember to wash your hands with soap and water in the following situations:
Before, during and after food preparation.
Before consuming food.
After contact with food or pets.
After using the toilet.
After changing a diaper or cleaning a baby.
After contact with waste.
Before and after caring for a sick person.
Before and after treating a wound.
After blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing.
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