Food Safety Education Month

September is Food Safety Education Month, focused on preventing food poisoning and showing others how to keep their food safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 6 Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food each year. As we continue to navigate the pandemic the CDC also reminds us that the risk of getting COVID-19 from food, treated drinking water or food packaging is considered very low.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also regularly updating its resources surrounding food safety and COVID-19 for consumers, retail food establishments and food services, food facilities and farms.

Follow these four steps when preparing and handling food:

Clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and cooking surfaces.
Separate: Fresh produce such as raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs.
Cook: Using a food thermometer can help ensure food is cooked thoroughly enough to kill germs.
Chill: Perishable foods and leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.

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