NCDHHS Shares Food Safety Tips for North Carolinians This Holiday Season

Ensuring Safe Holiday Gatherings: Food Safety Tips from NCDHHS

As the festive season approaches, residents of North Carolina are gearing up to celebrate with friends and family. In light of this, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) emphasizes the importance of adhering to food safety guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses during holiday gatherings.

Foodborne illnesses affect one in six Americans annually, and North Carolina has seen a rise in such outbreaks during the holiday season over recent years. To safeguard your loved ones, NCDHHS offers essential food safety tips.

Key Food Safety Practices

Hygiene First: Ensure hands are washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after food contact. This simple act is the frontline defense against harmful bacteria.

Avoid Cross-Contamination: Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood away from cooked items. Use distinct cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods to prevent bacterial transfer.

Cook Thoroughly: Utilize a food thermometer to verify that meats, including wild game like boar and bear, reach their safe internal temperatures. For instance, poultry should be cooked to 165°F, while ground beef should reach 160°F to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Proper Food Storage: Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours to impede bacterial growth. Leftovers should be consumed or disposed of within three to four days to avoid spoilage and illness.

Regular Cleaning: Sanitize kitchen surfaces, cutting boards, utensils, and any equipment like grills before and after use to prevent cross-contamination.

Cooking for Crowds: When preparing meals for large gatherings, such as potlucks or community events, handle food with gloves whenever possible. If you have been recently sick or caring for someone ill, assign meal preparation and serving duties to someone else to curb germ spread.

Avoid Raw Oysters: Raw or undercooked oysters can be risky, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Ensure oysters are sourced from reputable suppliers and cooked thoroughly, especially when used in traditional dishes like stuffing.

Should you experience diarrhea or vomiting that persists after eating, contact your healthcare provider. This is particularly crucial for young children, older adults, or individuals with compromised immune systems, as they may face more severe consequences.

For further information on foodborne illnesses and prevention, visit the NCDHHS Division of Public Health website. Additional resources on food safety are available at cdc.gov/food-safety.