Focus on Watch What You Eat

Focus on Watch What You Eat

-by Iris Ruiz

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (May 29, 2015) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, EFNEP would like to talk about an issue tied to nutrition and that is the risk of food poisoning. Any food can poison you if it is not prepared and stored properly. Every year, 1 out of 6 Americans falls sick from poisoning. Most recover without lasting ill effects, but some die from it. What can you do to minimize the risk?

Vegetables grow in soil that may have been treated with manure, so wash these items carefully before preparing them.

Wash your hands, cutting board, utensils, dishes and countertops with hot, soapy water before preparing each item.

To avoid cross-contamination, never put food on a surface or plate that was previously in contact with raw eggs, poultry, meat, or fish, without first washing that surface.

Cook until the food reaches the right temperature, and promptly refrigerate any perishable items that are not going to be eaten right away.

Discard perishable items left at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour if air temperature exceeds 90 degrees.

Stay safe this summer and watch what you eat.

EFNEP is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.                                                

Last updated August 26, 2015