Health Department Not Worried About A Burnt Turkey

Sonora, CA– The California Department of Health Services is reminding Mother Lode residents that burning the turkey shouldn´t be the only food concern this Thanksgiving.

Officials say handling food safely to prevent food borne illness should be on every cooks´ mind. They say dangerous bacteria can be present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices.

Tips to a healthy Thanksgiving meal and future meals include always washing hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw foods and thoroughly cleaning all work surfaces, utensils, and dishes.

To refrigerate foods promptly after purchase, officials suggest refrigerating or freezing meat, poultry, and seafood promptly after purchase. They also propose thawing frozen meat, poultry and seafood inside the refrigerator in its original wrapping.

Lastly, turkey should be refrigerated one of two ways: within two hours after it is cooked; or right after cooking. For more tips go to www.fightback.org

Written by Alisha.cruz