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Health
District Stresses Food Safety
press release
September 7, 2006
La Marque
– September is National Food Safety Education Month and the Galveston County
Health District is reminding everyone of the basic rules for safe food storage,
preparation and cooking. Food safety is important to businesses who sell food to the public. Disease
outbreaks linked to a restaurant can have an adverse economic impact on the
business and may cause significant illnesses among public consumers. Consumers
trust that food served in restaurants is safe – properly cooked and maintained.
Equally important are safe food practices at home.
“During Food Safety Education Month, the Health District wants to assure that
families cook without risk,” says Dr. Mark Guidry, CEO of the Health District.
“Not only during periods of electrical outages, such as after hurricanes, should
we practice food safety, but rather everyday. Health District inspectors
inspect food service establishments to assure compliance with food safety
standards, yet practicing food safety is equally important at home.”
Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to prevent
foodborne illness. You can’t see, smell, or taste harmful bacteria that
may cause illness. There are four steps that everyone should follow to
keep food safe.Keep things clean by sanitizing cutting boards, knives and countertops that come
into contact with raw meat by using a bleach solution or antibacterial cleaner.
Always remember that all produce should be thoroughly washed especially if is it
going to be eaten raw. Most importantly always wash hands before you begin to
prepare food and after handling raw meats. Inadequate handwashing is a leading
cause of foodborne disease today.
Keep raw meats separate from
other foods especially produce in your shopping cart and grocery bags. Raw
meats that are wrapped for display often leak. Put meat into a plastic bag to
prevent drips that may contaminate other food.
Always cook food thoroughly to a safe temperature
and use a food thermometer to make sure that safe temperature has been reached.
Some common temperature recommendations from the USDA include:
Whole turkey or chicken – 180 degrees F
- Ground
turkey of chicken – 165 degrees F
-
Casseroles or stuffing – 165 degrees F
- Pork –
160 degrees F
- Ground
meat or egg dishes – 160 degrees F
- All other
meat products – 145 degrees F
Another important food safety
tip is to make sure foods are refrigerated as quickly as possible. Do not leave
food on the counter to “cool down.” Break solid food (meat) into small pieces
and cool in uncovered containers in the refrigerator. Only cover the container
after the food is below 45 degrees F.
“As a member of the Galveston County
United Board of Health I encourage everyone to follow this advice,” says Mary
Anne Holcomb, Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. “Galveston County residents
appreciate many fabulous restaurants and enjoy a great outdoor lifestyle. It is
very important that we protect ourselves from any possible foodborne illnesses
so we can continue to enjoy all manner of activities.”
Often some of the greatest
risks are taken when picnicking or attending family gatherings when it comes to
food safety. At these events always make sure that perishable food does not sit
at room temperature for more than two hours. After two hours, refrigerate,
reheat or throw it away. Arrange and serve food on several small platters
instead of one large one and keep the remaining food that is not out hot or
cold. Keep all hot food hot above 140 degrees by using warming trays if
possible and cold foods cold by nesting in bowls of ice.
According to Ronnie Schultz, Director of Environmental Health programs at the District, “Complaints of foodborne illnesses are reported to us on a regular basis that are restaurant
related. We think it is important that residents realize that studies show many
cases of foodborne illness resulting from a home cooked meal or picnic fare are
not reported. During this month and always we want to stress that it is just as
important to be food safe at home.”
By following the simple recommendations provided everyone can help in making Galveston County a
healthier community.
For more food safety information visit the Galveston County Health District web site at
www.gchd.org.
printed in the
Galveston Daily News 09/20/06
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
409-938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org |
