September is Food Safety Education Month

September is National Food Safety Education Month, an opportunity to remind everyone that safe food handling begins long before a meal reaches the table.

Ginger Points, Director of Environmental Health for NET Health, recently joined East Texas Living to discuss food safety and the everyday practices that help protect individuals, families and the wider community.

Whether you are preparing dinner at home, packing a school lunch or serving food at a community event, four basic steps can reduce the risk of foodborne illness:

Clean

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before, during and after preparing food. Keep countertops, utensils and cutting boards clean, and rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.

Separate

Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs away from cooked foods and fresh produce. Use separate cutting boards and utensils when possible to help prevent cross-contamination.

Cook

Use a food thermometer to make sure food reaches a safe internal temperature. Color and texture alone are not reliable ways to determine whether food has been cooked safely.

Chill

Refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers within two hours—or within one hour when temperatures are above 90°F. Thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave instead of leaving it on the countertop.

These precautions are especially important for young children, adults age 65 and older, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. According to the CDC, approximately one in six Americans becomes sick from contaminated food each year.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. By remembering to clean, separate, cook and chill, East Texans can help prevent foodborne illness at home and throughout the community.

Watch East Texas Living

To learn more about food inspections, food-handler requirements and NET Health’s Retail Food Protection Program, visit the NET Health Environmental Health Department.

For assistance, contact Environmental Health at 903-535-0037 or EnvironmentalHealth@netphd.org.