Health & Proper Food Preparation

Preparing Food Properly Millions of people get sick each year from eating poorly prepared food. Most of the time it is only a stomach ache, but there are times that poorly prepared food can cause serious medical issues including death. To combat food pathogens it is important to prepare your food correctly. Here are some easy tips on preparing your food safely and properly. Make sure the food you buy at the store is not past the sell date. Many times old food such as meat, milk or fish will be sold unexpectedly after the freshness date has come and passed. When preparing your food, make sure you keep your meat either refrigerated or in a freezer. Do not allow your meat to stay in room temperature uncovered. You are only inviting bacteria to grow on your food. When preparing meat or fish, make sure that you wash the meat carefully and inspect the meat for any defects. Foul smelling, discolored meats, poultry or fish mean that the meat is spoiled and should not be consumed. When cooking your food make sure that the food is heated to the proper temperature and remains at this temperature for the stated period of time. It is advisable to use a meat thermometer to check the correct temperature of the meal. It is always advisable to clean the surfaces that were used when cooking and preparing your meal with soap and warm water to kill any remaining bacteria. So follow these quick tips to eat a safer meal. For more information visit the United States Department of Agriculture at www.usda.gov.