Carefully wash your hands before preparing or serving food
Cook eggs until they are solid, not runny
DO NOT eat raw ground beef, chicken, eggs, or fish
Heat all casseroles to 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Hotdogs and luncheon meats should be heated to steaming
If you care for young children, wash your hands often and dispose of diapers carefully so bacteria don't spread to food surfaces
Use only clean dishes and utensils
Use a thermometer when cooking beef (to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit), poultry (to at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit), or fish (to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit)
TIPS FOR STORING FOOD:
DO NOT use foods that have an unusual odor or spoiled taste
DO NOT place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been thoroughly washed
DO NOT use outdated foods, packaged foods with a broken seals, or cans that are bulging or dented
If you can your own foods at home, be sure to follow proper canning techniques to prevent botulism
Keep the refrigerator set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit
Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR PREVENTING FOOD POISONING:
All milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products should have the word "Pasteurized" on the container
DO NOT eat foods that may contain raw eggs (such as Caesar salad dressing, raw cookie dough, egg nog, and hollandaise sauce)
DO NOT eat raw honey, only honey that has been heat treated
NEVER give honey to children under 1 year of age
DO NOT eat soft cheeses (such as queso blanco fresco)
DO NOT eat raw vegetable sprouts (such as alfalfa)
DO NOT eat shellfish that has been exposed to red tides
Wash all raw fruits, vegetables, and herbs with cold, running water
TIPS FOR EATING OUT SAFELY:
Ask if all fruit juices have been pasteurized
Be careful at salad bars, buffets, sidewalk vendors, potluck meals, and delicatessens
Use only salad dressings, sauces, and salsas that come in single-serving packaging
TIPS FOR TRAVELING WHERE CONTAMINATION IS COMMON:
DO NOT eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit
Drink only boiled water
Eat only hot, freshly cooked food
If you become sick after eating and other people may have eaten the same food, let them know. If you think the food was contaminated when you bought it from a store or restaurant, tell the store or restaurant and your local health department.
Review Date:
5/31/2012
Reviewed By:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
