12 Food Safety Tips

1. Cook meats, poultry, dressings, gravies, and casseroles to 165°F. Cook eggs to 145°F or above and ground meat to 158°F.
2. Maintain cold foods at 45°F or below in storage.
3. Maintain hot foods at 140°F or above.
4. Use a metal probe thermometer to take temperatures of food.
5. Wash your hands often with warm soapy water.
6. Never use the same knife to cut raw meats and then ready to eat foods like vegetables and sandwich meats.
7. Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, NOT on the kitchen counter.
8. Always use a clean plate to serve cooked foods.
9. Refrigerate leftover foods in small shallow containers promptly after serving.
10. Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
11. Clean cutting boards between different foods.
12. Wash fruits and vegetables with potable water before using.
13. Follow these 12 Food Safety Tips to provide safe food for your family and friends.

For more information contact the Tompkins County Health Department
Division of Environmental Health
401 Harris B. Dates Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850-1385
607-274-6688 FAX 607-274-6695
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.