What Food Safety Steps Help Prevent Listeriosis and Other Foodborne Illnesses?
Follow these four simple steps to food safety: • Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often with hot, soapy water. Because Listeria monocytogenes can slowly grow at refrigerator temperatures, always use hot, soapy water to clean up liquid that spills in the refrigerator – including spills from packages of luncheon meats and hot dogs. Always wash hands, cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water after they come in contact with raw food. • Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate. Raw meat, poultry and seafood can contain dangerous bacteria. As a result, keep these foods separate from vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods that are already prepared for eating. • Cook: Cook to safe temperatures. If you are at risk for listeriosis, reheat luncheon meats, cold cuts, and other deli-style meat and poultry until they are steaming hot. • Chill: Refrigerate or freeze perishables, including ready-to-eat foods, within two hours.
