Party Planning For Upcoming Weekend

Party planning for the upcoming July 4^th weekend should include more than a menu and invited guests.  Forgetting about food safety can be a recipe for disaster. A metal-stemmed thermometer is as much a party essential as matching plates and napkins.  According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in six Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year. Following four simple steps – clean, separate, cook and chill – can help keep your family safe. Learn the risks of food poisoning in the fun new web series Recipes for Disaster at http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/index.html.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) wants you to practice safe food handling by keeping “hot things hot” (greater than 135 degrees Fahrenheit) and “cold things cold” (less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit) to reduce your risk of a food-borne illness. Other safety tips include --

• Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator.
• Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling foods.
• Clean all kitchen surfaces before you begin cooking.
• To avoid cross contamination, use separate plates for raw and cooked meats.
• Scrub cutting boards with hot soapy water after preparing food.
• Use a metal stemmed food thermometer to ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature.  Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria (see below).
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving time.

 Food-borne illness is preventable.  If you suspect a food-borne illness, contact MCDH at 815-334-4585, Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30 pm.  For after hour emergencies, call 815-344-7421.