Help Prevent Foodborne Illness
According to the U.S. government, approximately 1 out of every 6 Americans get sick annually with a foodborne illness.1 Using proper food handling, preparing, and storing techniques, as well as using proper refrigeration equipment can reduce the instances where harmful bacteria causes food poisoning. Below, we'll go over ways you can help prevent foodborne illnesses in your business.
Table of Contents
- Food Cleanliness & Handwashing
- Appliance, Kitchen, & Utensil Cleanliness
- Safe Meat Preparation & Storage
- Safe Egg Preparation & Storage
- General Food Storage Tips & Safety
- Food Safety & Cleanliness for Large Groups: Catering, Food Service Industry, & Large Parties
- Fact Sheets on Cross Contamination
- Food Safety for Underserved, Immune-compromised, or At-risk Populations
- Seasonal Food Safety
Food Cleanliness & Handwashing
The FDA recommends washing hands and other cooking and preparation surfaces frequently to reduce the spread of bacteria.2 FoodSafety.gov encourages proper handwashing for 20 seconds or more to effectively stop contamination.3
Handwashing Resources:
- Videos and tips on the "right" way to wash hands and utensils by FoodSafety.gov
- "What Does It Take to Clean Fresh Food?" article by NPR
- "Science Behind Handwashing"
- Publication data and statisticsbehind handwashing
- Health promotion materials for keeping hands clean
- Training and educational resourcesfor handwashing
Appliance, Kitchen, & Utensil Cleanliness
Kitchen Sponge Safety Resources:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison’s guide for budget-cleaning kitchens – using ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda.
- USDA Safe Food Handbook
- University of California Food Safety Basics
- UC Davis Five Keys to Safer Food Manual
Safe Meat Preparation & Storage
The USDA offers many resources on safe meat preparation and storage for various types of meat:
Other Resources for Safe Meat Preparation, Storage Guidelines, & Facts:
- Farmland provides guidelines on how to safely serve pork, including a guide for meat thermometers and different methods of preparation
- Healthline.com’s guide to safe meat handling
- University of Illinois Extension: Meat Safety for the consumer, including cooking times and correct end-point temperatures
Safe Poultry Preparation & Storage
USDA: articles and fact sheets for safe handling, preparation, and serving of poultry by type:
- Chicken: storage times, thawing, handling, cooking, and color
- Color of Poultry: indications according to tone, shade, and color
- Duck and Goose: safe handling and preparation guidelines
Further Resources for Safe Poultry Handling & Preparation:
- FoodSafety.gov: chicken and poultry safety guidelines
- CDC: chicken and food poisoning
Safe Egg Preparation & Storage
- FDA: egg safety, salmonella facts, and proper cooking; serving; and storing guidelines
- USDA: egg products and safety
- EggSafety.org: frequently asked questions about egg safety
General Food Storage Tips & Safety
Resources for Safe Food Freezing:
- USDA: food freezing fact sheet
- USDA: using thermometers to ensure safe and proper freezer temperatures
- FoodSafety.gov: storage shelf life for food in the freezer
- FDA: refrigerator and freezer storage chart
Resources on Safe Food Thawing:
- USDA: safe defrosting methods for foods
- Michigan State University Extension: safe microwave defrosting
- National Food Service Management Institute: fact sheet for thawing
- North Carolina State University: thawing food safely
Food Safety & Cleanliness for Large Groups: Catering, Food Service Industry, & Large Parties
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: basic guidelines for proper cleaning and sanitizing during the handling and processing of food
- Food Safety and Inspection Service: guidelines for avoiding cross contamination
- Minnesota Department of Health: how to prevent cross contamination
- FoodSafety.gov: tips on separation to avoid cross contamination
Fact Sheets on Cross Contamination
Food Safety for Underserved, Immune-compromised, and At-risk Populations
- Food Safety News: "Few Healthy Choices in Urban Food Deserts"
- Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education: "Training Underserved Producers on Good Agricultural Practices for Food Safety"
- The Institute for Sustainable Communities: "Addressing Underserved Communities"
Seasonal Food Safety
- FoodSafety.gov: tips for maintaining safe food practices during certain times of the year
References
- Estimates of Foodborne Illness in the United States. CDC. Accessed July 2022.
- Safe Food Handling. FDA. Accessed July 2022.
- 4 Steps to Food Safety. FoodSafety.gov. Accessed July 2022.
