Prevent foodborne illness this Thanksgiving!

An estimated 1 in 6 Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year alone? Food poisoning not only sends 128,000 Americans to the hospital each year—it can also cause long-term health problems. However, you have nothing to worry about (except overeating) if you follow these four simple steps:

  1. Clean – Wash hands, utensils and surfaces often. Germs can spread and survive in many places.
  2. Separate – Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat foods, so keep them separate.
  3. Cook – Cook to the right temperature. Ensure that foods are cooked safely by always using a food thermometer.
  4. Chill – Refrigerate promptly. Bacteria that cause food poisoning multiply quickest between 40°F and 140°F.

Learn more about food safety at foodsafety.gov and these 4 steps in greater detail at foodsafety.gov/4steps.