Safe Holiday Meal Preparation

The delicious season of Thanksgiving is approaching. Below are some "Hot Tips and Cold Facts" for the preparation and storage of your holiday meals to ensure a safe and happy occasion.

Good Food Handling Practices

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water before handling food, and again after touching raw poultry or meat.
• Wash all utensils, counters, and cutting boards with warm soapy water after preparing meals and before they are used for making that wonderful cranberry salad or other specialties.
• Sanitize work surfaces periodically.
  (1 Tbsp. Bleach/1 gal. Water)

Thawing

• Never thaw turkey or any other food product on a counter top at room temperature. There are only four safe ways to thaw:
  
  
• Thaw in refrigerator on lower shelf (wrap in plastic bag or place on a tray so juices won't drip on other foods).
• Thaw in sink under cool running water.
• Thaw in microwave, Cook immediately after thawing.
• Thaw as part of cooking process.
  
  Allow 24 hours per 5 pounds to thaw.

Cooking

• Use a stem thermometer to be sure food is cooked well enough to destroy bacteria. Whole turkeys must be cooked to a minimum of 180° F.

• The safest way to cook stuffing is in a casserole. If the turkey is stuffed, the stuffing must reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Reheating

• The leftovers are the best part of preparing the Thanksgiving meal in your home, so let's serve them safely. When reheating the leftovers, bring them up to 165°F as quickly as possible.

Storage

• Shortly after the meal, food should be placed in shallow pans (4" in depth) and refrigerated. This includes leftover pumpkin pie, if there is any.
• Your refrigerator thermometer should read 41°F or below.
• Don't overload the refrigerator with too many hot foods.
• Eat refrigerated turkey within 4 days; stuffing and gravy within 1-2 days. Turkey can be frozen 3-6 months.

The four most important things to remember:
1. Wash your hands!!!
2. Serve hot foods hot.
3. Serve cold foods cold.
4. Never leave food out more than 2 hours; when in doubt, throw it out!

Have a safe and tasty holiday season!!!