Expert Opinion On Food Safety

Food safety is a critical aspect of our daily lives that can have a profound impact on our health. The Netflix documentary, “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food,” sheds light on the importance of staying vigilant about food safety practices. Here are key takeaways and advice from experts on ensuring food safety at home:

1. Follow Food Safety Guidelines:
   • Clean everything thoroughly.
   • Separate sterile and non-sterile foods and meat from vegetables.
   • Cook foods to appropriate temperatures (heat kills pathogens).
   • Store perishable foods at cold temperatures (most pathogens don’t grow in the cold).
2. Avoid Risky Foods:
   • Be cautious with foods like bean sprouts, cut-bagged vegetables, and salads, which have been associated with outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
   • Opt for chopping your own vegetables at home whenever possible.
3. Say No to Raw Cookie Dough and Caesar Salad: Avoid consuming raw cookie dough with raw eggs and Caesar salad, which traditionally contains raw egg.
4. Prevent Cross-Contamination:
   • Never reuse a plate that has held raw meats without thorough washing.
   • Use separate cutting boards for different types of foods.
   • Don’t reuse the surface you’re cutting ingredients on without proper cleaning.
5. Defrost Safely:
   • Always defrost frozen food in the refrigerator to avoid the “Danger Zone” (between 40°F and 140°F where pathogens multiply).
   • Don’t leave perishable foods out of the refrigerator for more than two hours (or one hour in temperatures above 90°F).
6. Skip Washing Chicken: Avoid washing chicken in the sink to prevent bacterial splatter.
7. Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure that animal products reach the correct internal temperature:
   • Poultry: 165°F
   • Steaks and roasts: 145°F
   • Ground beef: 160°F
   • Pork: 145°F
8. Handle Hot Dishes Carefully: Don’t leave hot dishes, like casseroles and chili, out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. Refrigerate with the lid off to expedite cooling.
9. Don’t Leave Food Out: Keep foods that are susceptible to bacterial growth (e.g., chicken and dairy products) at the correct temperature. Store leftovers promptly.
10. Monitor Leftovers: Don’t keep leftovers in the refrigerator for more than three to four days. Use them or freeze them.
11. Avoid Storing Rice in a Rice Cooker: Store cooked rice properly to prevent pathogens from growing.
12. Personal Utensils and Containers: Avoid sharing utensils and containers, and refrain from drinking directly from containers to prevent bacterial growth from saliva.
13. Be Cautious with Food Trucks: Be aware that food in food trucks may not have been refrigerated properly, so choose carefully.
14. Exercise Caution with Meal Kits: Ensure that meal kit ingredients look and smell safe. If any item appears spoiled, discard everything. Meal kits may not be regulated as rigorously as food brands.
15. Use a Cooler: When transporting meals and snacks, use a cooler to keep food at the proper temperature and prevent bacterial growth.
16. Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands before unloading the dishwasher to maintain sanitation.
17. Take Food Recalls Seriously: If a food product is recalled, return it to the store or discard it. Evaluate the risk and respond accordingly, as not all recalls pose the same level of harm.

By following these food safety practices, you can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones. Food safety is a shared responsibility that extends from manufacturers to consumers, and being cautious at home is an essential part of the equation.

Image Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety