Food safety must be the top priority at celebratory get-togethers as we approach 2024. It’s critical to make sure the New Year’s Eve spread is both delicious and free of any potential foodborne hazards amid the excitement and festivities.
Here are some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses during your celebrations:
Cook Food Totally:
Make sure that eggs, meat, poultry, turkey, and seafood are cooked through by using a food thermometer. After cooking, give roasts, chops, steaks, and fresh ham three minutes to rest.
Keep Food Out of the “Danger Zone”:
To stop bacteria from growing, refrigerate or freeze perishable food within two hours of cooking. Keep freezer temperatures at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and refrigerator temperatures at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use Pasteurized Eggs:
To reduce the risk of Salmonella, use pasteurized eggs when making recipes that call for raw eggs, such as eggnog, tiramisu, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Alcohol does not eradicate viruses or bacteria from egg nog.
Steer clear of raw dough and batter:
These materials, which are made of flour or eggs, can contain dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. Avoid tasting or consuming raw dough that is meant to be baked or cooked.
Keep Foods Separate:
Keep meat, poultry, turkey, seafood, and eggs apart from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Maintain Good Hand Hygiene:
Wash your hands well before, during, and after handling food, eating, using the restroom, changing diapers, or touching trash.
Extra Care is Needed for Pregnant Women:
Food poisoning is a greater risk for pregnant women. Steer clear of raw or unpasteurized milk, raw or unpasteurized juice and cider, and soft cheeses made from raw or unpasteurized milk.
Be Careful with Seafood:
Select smoked seafood that can be stored on shelves or fully cook smoked seafood that has been refrigerated in a dish.
Unpasteurized Juices:
Look for labels alerting you to the dangers of unpasteurized or raw juices, and think about boiling them to get rid of dangerous bacteria.
People can ensure a happy and healthy start to the new year by adhering to these food safety guidelines, which can help prevent foodborne illnesses that might spoil the festivities. Prioritizing food safety is a small but important step toward ensuring friends’ and family’s safety.
