Public Service Announcement
Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans (about 48 million people) could suffer from foodborne illness this year (a CDC estimate)? To put that into perspective, that’s twice the amount of people (24 million) that watched the U.S. play Ghana in round 16 of the 2010 World Cup! Food poisoning is not simply an upset stomach; it is a serious public health threat in America.
The result is approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and sadly, an estimated 3,000 deaths!
Hosting a World Cup Watch Party? Check out these tips from FoodSafety.gov highlighting the FOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO FOOD SAFETY FOR GAME DAY:
o Clean: When preparing party food, clean kitchen surfaces, utensils, and hands with soap and water. We’re used to washing our hands before sitting down for a meal, but may forget in a party atmosphere.
o Separate: Cross-contamination occurs when raw meats, like your chicken wings or steaks, touch ready-to-eat foods like veggies. In the refrigerator, place raw meat, poultry, and seafood in containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods. When taking food off the grill or out of the oven, don’t put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry.
o Cook: Cook foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer. That’s the only way to know it’s a safe temperature. For example sausages should be cooked at 160° F and poultry to 165° F.
o Chill: Chill raw and prepared foods promptly if not consuming after cooking. Follow the two hour rule: you shouldn’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours and try nestling foods in ice to keep them safe for guests!
You can also check out some food safety tips on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuBN6pE03ro
Want more tips? Join the Food Safe Families Twitter Chat on June 17th at 1pm EST—just hours before the anticipated Brazil vs. Mexico game! I’ll be on hand offering game-day party tips—just follow the hashtag #WorldCupChat for the English chat and #WorldCupFiesta for the Spanish version. The Food Safe Families Campaign (a partnership between The Ad Council, USDA, FDA and CDC) shares simple, but important reminders of steps consumers can take year round to help keep their families safe from food poisoning.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, but am working with Element Associates & Bloggin’ Mamas as a Twitter Chat Consultant.
Leave A Comment