Introduction
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and of course, food! But with the current pandemic, it’s important to make sure that we’re following the CDC-approved food rules to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Here are five CDC-approved food rules you need to follow this holiday season:
1. Wash your hands before and after handling food.
2. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
3. Cook food to the proper temperature.
4. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
5. Avoid sharing food and drinks.
By following these simple rules, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season.
5 CDC-Approved Food Rules You Need to Follow This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and of course, food. But with the ongoing pandemic, it’s important to take extra precautions when it comes to food safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines to help keep everyone safe and healthy this holiday season. Here are five CDC-approved food rules you need to follow:
1. Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent the spread of germs. Before and after handling food, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is when bacteria from one food item is transferred to another. To avoid this, make sure to keep raw and cooked foods separate. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods, and never put cooked food back on the same plate or cutting board that held raw food.
3. Cook Foods Thoroughly
Cooking food to the right temperature is essential for food safety. Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked to the right temperature. The CDC recommends cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F, ground beef to 160°F, and pork to 145°F.
4. Refrigerate Foods Promptly
Perishable foods should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. If the temperature outside is above 90°F, food should be refrigerated within one hour. If you’re not sure how long food has been sitting out, it’s best to throw it away.
5. Avoid Buffets and Self-Serve Foods
Buffets and self-serve foods can be a breeding ground for bacteria. To reduce the risk of contamination, avoid buffets and self-serve foods. If you do choose to serve buffet-style, make sure to keep food covered and at the right temperature.
Following these five CDC-approved food rules can help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy this holiday season. Enjoy the festivities, but don’t forget to practice food safety!
Because the U.S. continues to expertise an uptick in COVID-19 instances, it is essential that People proceed to take precautions to mitigate the unfold of coronavirus and preserve those that are at a better danger of extreme well being problems secure. Sadly, that will imply canceling vacation gatherings altogether this 12 months.
The most secure technique to have a good time is at dwelling with the people who stay in your family, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). When you do plan to host or attend a meal with household or mates, listed here are some ideas that will help you keep as secure as potential once you eat. (For extra on the right way to keep wholesome, that is The One Vitamin Medical doctors Are Urging Everybody to Take Proper Now.)
Bringing your personal meals, drinks, and condiments and having fun with them by yourself plates, cups, utensils, and napkins is an efficient technique to promote social distancing. It additionally limits company from touching the identical objects. When you’re touring over the vacations, pack your personal meals and snacks.
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“Relating to winter holidays, meals traditions are sometimes an vital a part of celebrations,” the CDC says. “There isn’t a proof that dealing with or consuming meals spreads COVID-19, however it’s all the time vital to observe meals security practices.”
One in every of these greatest practices is to keep away from getting into the kitchen or different rooms the place meals is being dealt with or ready. Talking of kitchen information, there’s presently a scarcity of this cooking software.
Although much less wholesome for the atmosphere, disposable utensils are your best choice this vacation season. Utilizing single packets of condiments, salad dressing, and salt and pepper reduces the variety of objects you or another person is touching along with meals containers, plates, and utensils.
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One other technique to cut back the variety of individuals touching issues at a vacation gathering is to make use of a rubbish can with none bells and whistles. When you do have to the touch this kitchen merchandise, washing your fingers afterward, or a minimum of utilizing hand sanitizer, is a should.
How soiled are trash cans in comparison with different objects in your kitchen, anyway?
We’re all dreaming of a white Christmas, and one technique to preserve a gathering socially distanced is to host it outdoors. Masks ought to nonetheless be worn, and if the climate would not permit for a (bundled) occasion outside, be sure to open home windows for airflow.
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