Announcements

Holiday Cooking: Keep it Safe!
11/24/09 -- As the holidays approach we like to celebrate by entertaining friends and family, throwing parties, and preparing feasts. From a buffet table to an office party, food moves center stage throughout the holiday season. Lorain County General Health District Health Commissioner Kenneth G. Pearce, M.P.H. would like to remind everyone to keep food safe by following basic food safety steps:

1)Clean: Wash hands and food-contact surfaces often. Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, knives, sponges, and counter tops.

2)Separate: Don't cross-contaminate and allow bacteria to spread to from one food product to another. This is especially true for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.

3)Cook: Cook to proper temperatures. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

4)Chill: Refrigerate promptly after use. Refrigerating foods keeps harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Refrigerators should be set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and freezers at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The accuracy of refrigerator and freezer settings should be checked occasionally with a thermometer.

Recommendations on How to Properly Prepare Your Thanksgiving Turkey