By David Peel
None of us want the stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting that accompany food poisoning.
Here are a few steps you can take to help keep your family safe:
- Freezer thawing: Sometimes when you were out of town there will be a power failure.
When you return everything seems normal. How will you know if the food in the freezer got too thawed and has now refrozen?
Pro tip: place a small glass of water in the freezer. Once frozen, put a marble or coin on it. When you return from a trip, if the object is now frozen in the bottom of the glass— throw out the food.
Alternatively, there are smart devices and alarms to alert you of rising temperatures in the freezer. - Check expiration dates when you purchase and again when you use the product.
- Cook foods thoroughly, especially red meat, poultry and eggs. Cooking these foods all the way through will destroy harmful germs.
- Foods that are not cooked before they are eaten, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, should be rinsed under running tap water.
- Use separate cutting boards, knives and plates for raw meats and vegetables and wash thoroughly in between.
- Cut the thickest piece of chicken breast in half before removing it from the grill to be sure it’s done all the way through.
- When serving leftovers, make sure that you reheat foods all the way through.
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after preparing food.
- Might want to avoid being one of the last people through a restaurant drive-through line very late in the evening especially if they serve chicken.
There’s more likelihood that it’s been sitting out for a while.
Food poisoning is all too common, but it is often avoidable.
Peel seeks justice for those injured in tractor trailer and car accidents, medical malpractice, and disability. He often addresses churches, clubs and groups without charge. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.
