News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU – Meals security may help you keep away from foodborne diseases throughout vacation feasts whenever you collect with your loved ones or just a few shut mates. Meals security begins whenever you convey meals residence to organize your meals and continues by way of the storing of any leftovers.

“Thanksgiving and different holidays are actually huge for these in our islands, however meals security should be a precedence,” stated Division of Well being Meals Security Department Chief Peter Oshiro. “In case you’re serving fewer individuals and cooking along with your microwave remember that microwave ovens prepare dinner meals inconsistently so be sure you use your thermometer to test for a constant protected temperature.”

With sophisticated, busy schedules and last-minute modifications, it might be tempting to chop corners on meals security. When uncooked meats contact different meals, when produce goes unwashed, or when meals is unnoticed for prolonged intervals – all these conditions are invites for micro organism that causes foodborne diseases. Ease the psychological stress and get your friends on board with meals security.

Listed here are 5 meals security ideas from the Hawai‘i Division of Well being to remember by way of the upcoming holidays to stop an upset abdomen or a visit to the hospital:

1) Plan. Plan your meals buying in order that perishable meals are usually not unnoticed for a very long time. Separate uncooked meat from different gadgets to stop contamination and think about bringing an ice chest or insulated bag with ice or ice packs for gadgets that should be saved chilly till you possibly can retailer them in your fridge or freezer at residence.

2) Put together. To securely thaw a complete frozen turkey, comply with one in every of these choices:
A) Thaw the turkey within the fridge for 4 to 5 days earlier than cooking. That is the most secure technique as a result of the turkey thaws at a constant, protected temperature.
B) Defrost the turkey in a microwave, permit six minutes per pound to thaw and prepare dinner it instantly after thawing.
C) Place the turkey in a heavy bag secured with a twist tie, submerge it in a clear sink with chilly water and alter the water each half-hour. Enable between 4 to 12 hours to thaw, relying on the dimensions of the turkey.

For any containers or plates that have been used to carry or put together uncooked meat, clear as you go to stop contamination since micro organism could also be current within the blood of uncooked meat. Use separate chopping boards and utensils for uncooked meat and ready-to-eat meals.

3) Wash. Wash your fingers completely with cleaning soap and water earlier than making ready meals. Don’t deal with or put together meals for others if in case you have been in poor health and skilled vomiting and/or diarrhea throughout the previous two days. Totally rinse vegatables and fruits with clear water earlier than chopping or making ready.

4) Correct Cooking. Use a thermometer to make sure meals you might be cooking attain a protected temperature. For meat, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion, and confer with this record for various kinds of meat for his or her minimal safe-to-eat temperature:
• Turkey, hen and different poultry and stuffed meals: a minimum of 165ºF
• Floor meats: a minimum of 155ºF
• Beef, eggs, fish and pork: a minimum of 145ºF

5) Retailer. Sizzling meals must be held at 135 ºF or hotter. Chilly meals must be saved at 41ºF or cooler. Use shallow containers (fewer than two inches deep) to chill leftovers shortly. Comply with the two-hour rule: Perishable meals shouldn’t sit at room temperature for greater than two hours until they’re being held at correct storage temperatures.

Eat leftover meals inside three to 4 days. Freeze leftovers that won’t be eaten inside this timeframe. For protected meals preparation tips and extra, go to the Division of Well being’s Meals Security Department: https://well being.hawaii.gov/san/food-information

Ease your considerations about foodborne sickness and comply with these protected meals dealing with methods, so you possibly can deal with the fellowship that comes with sharing valuable time collectively.

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PDF: 5 meals security ideas for having fun with vacation meals