Holiday food safety: essential Guidelines to protect your family

The holidays are in bringing with them familiar, fun and food The last thing we want to do is to spend our holidays patients, so if you're making gravy, storing leftovers, or baking up treats candy, get knowledge about food safety.

According to the American Dietetic Association, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, there are some essential things to be aware of when preparing and storing food.

Preparing

The first rule of food preparation is to keep things clean. It may seem like common sense, however, tend to attract ambitious cooks closet, relatives and eager children. The more help in the kitchen, the more risk for food borne diseases such as salmonella and E-coli. Sure hands and work areas are washed not just before, during and after food preparation to prevent cross contamination. Another tip is to use separate utensils when stirring, sampling and serving food.

When it comes to cooking of delicious Turkey or roast Beast "for your gathering, always use a meat thermometer to be sure meats are cooked safely. Also, bring your constant boiling sauce before serving to kill harmful bacteria. Food temperatures are:

Burgers-160 F
Roasts, steaks, chops-160 F
Ground poultry-165 F
Parts of poultry-170 F
Pork-160 F
Hot dogs/leftovers-165 F

The holidays are not complete without cookies, pies and cakes. Unfortunately, these may represent some real dangers for those who like to have a spoonful (or three) of uncooked dough or batter. If the recipe contains eggs, resist that temptation because it can lead to severe food poisoning. If you're one of those who like cookie dough, more than the actual cookies, try these recipes mass "secure" cookie.

Store

Nothing compares very full plate of leftovers after the festivities are over, but how long is it safe to keep goods around First, be careful to refrigerate leftovers as soon as the meal is over. Two hours is the maximum that perishable foods should be left out to avoid the growth of bacteria. Turkey (with the exception of the wings and legs) should be removed from the bone and stored separately from the stuffing and gravy. All other leftovers should be stored in airtight containers, superficial. Things that are best eaten within three to four days include Turkey, casseroles and vegetables. within a day or two, stuffing, gravy and fresh fruit and cream pies. A safe temperature for re-heating food is 165 (F) and remember to re-boil the sauce before re-serving! And if you're traveling to or from a meeting with food, be sure to perishable foods are packed in ice if you're on the road for more than two hours.

Here's wishing you and yours a safe and happy Christmas and a safe to eat all year