The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit wants you to keep food safety top of mind over the holidays.
Public Health Inspector Dharminder Kaler says contaminated food caused by improper food handling or undercooking can make people sick, and spoil the holidays. He reminds you to properly prepare, handle, cook, and store food.
The health unit recommends you wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before cooking. It’s also important to sanitize countertops, cutting boards, and utensils with a mix of water and a little bleach.
The health unit says you need to give at least 24 hours of defrosting time to every five pounds of frozen turkey you’ll be making. The health unit recommends putting it on the lowest shelf of your fridge, and never letting it thaw on a counter. When cooking the bird, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is at least 82 degrees.
The health unit says it’s also important to refrigerate food as quickly as possible once the meal is over, and not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours.
You can find more safety tips by clicking here.