Thanksgiving car accidents aren’t the only dangers to be aware of this Thanksgiving – you should also be aware of the dangers of food poisoning as well as the easy ways to avoid it. Keep reading to learn how to do so. Remember that if you are injured in an accident in which someone else is at fault, you might be able to recover compensation for your damages. Just call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
How Serious is This Problem?
Before we talk about how you can prevent food poisoning on Thanksgiving, it is important that you understand just how serious this issue is. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in six people in the United States is affected by foodborne illness each year. Of those, 3,000 will die in an average year.
The most common foodborne illness is caused by salmonella – which can be transferred via turkey. When you consider that around 80% of Americans will eat a turkey on Thanksgiving, it is understandable that now is the time to talk about the risks.
- Thaw Turkey Carefully
- Do Not Let Cross Contamination Occur
- Wash Your Hands
- Cook Your Food Completely
- Get Leftovers in the Refrigerator as Soon as Possible
Do not simply put the turkey on the counter to defrost. You should do so in a leakproof bag, preferably in the refrigerator. If it does not fit in there, you can thaw it in a sink full of cold water but you must change the water every 30 minutes to keep it safe.
The turkey meat should not come into contact with any other foods. You should use one cutting board for the turkey and it should not touch any other food until it has been fully cooked.
In the days of COVID, everyone knows they should be washing their hands on a regular basis. Avoiding food poisoning is yet another reason to do so. Remember that salmonella can live on a dry surface for not just hours but potentially for days.
Your turkey and stuffing must be cooked throughout. The oven should cook it at a minimum of 325F. When you believe it is cooked, use a food thermometer in the thickest portion of the turkey breast. Cook it until it is at least 165F.
Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature. Putting food in the fridge when it is still hot can raise the temperature in the fridge enough to make other foods dangerous. However, you should refrigerate any leftovers within two hours.
At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we cannot prevent you from getting food poisoning but we can help you fight for justice if you are injured as the result of another person’s negligent or reckless actions. Contact us now at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
