Food Safety and Handwashing
Help prevent food poisoning at home by following safety guidelines and handwashing recommendations.
For more information call 607-832-5200.
Main causes of foodborne illnesses:
- Food from unsafe sources.
- Undercooking raw meat, eggs, fish and shellfish.
- Not keeping cold food cold or hot food hot.
- Dirty equipment.
- Not washing hands with soap and hot water.
- Handling food when you are sick.
How to prepare food safely at home:
- Wash hands and surfaces often.
- Separate raw meat from other food.
- Cook food to the right temperature.
- Chill food quickly to 40°F or below.
- Keep hot food at 135°F or above.
- Don’t prepare food for others when you’re sick.
Chicken Preparation
Washing chicken doesn’t get rid of germs. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill germs. Use a food thermometer to check.
Handwashing
Help prevent food poisoning at home by following safety guidelines and handwashing recommendations.
For more information call 607-832-5200.
When to wash your hands:
- Before, during, and after preparing food.
- Before eating food.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound.
- After using the toilet.
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste.
- After handling pet food or pet treats.
- After touching garbage.
Hand sanitizer
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
How to use hand sanitizer:
- Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
How to wash your hands:
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community. Follow these five steps every time:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
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