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Summer Food Safety Tips

With warmer weather and summer temperatures fast approaching, it’s important to keep safe foods safe to eat for you and your family. Foodborne illness can be easily avoided by following a few practical food safety steps. Here are a few to help keep your summer fun and enjoyable for everyone.

• When grilling, cook ground beef and burgers to an internal temperature of at least 160ºF. Poultry parts should be grilled to at least 165ºF. Be certain to use a meat thermometer to assure your food has reached the right temperature to ensure safety.

• Frozen foods should be thawed out in the refrigerator not on the kitchen counter.

• Be sure to refrigerate or freeze leftovers in a timely manner – usually within two hours of purchase of preparation.

• Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after preparing food. Be certain to wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and even after playing with pets.

• When in doubt about the way a food looks or smells, throw it out.

Courtesy of the International Food Information Council Foundation