Safe and Healthy Holiday Cooking

Four hours is the longest amount of time that foods should be left out at room temperature. After that, store quickly or throw it out - don't risk eating it! This doesn't apply to dry non-animal products such as nuts or candy. Bacteria need moisture and they won't stick around to sample your spiced nuts.)

When storing food in your refrigerator strictly adhere to these guidelines:

Raw foods on the bottom shelf (where they cannot drip onto other foods)

Prepared foods covered and stored above the raw.

Raw fruits and vegetables above the prepared foods or in a drawer where they cannot be dripped on from above.

Cool hot prepared foods before storing them in the refrigerator or they will heat the air and make the refrigerator unsafe.

Here are some links to even more information about food safety.

Q&A about preparing a safe Turkey from Better Homes and Gardens.

The Food Safety Project at Iowa State University has it all. This spectacular reference has everything from holiday cooking safety to information on common foodborne pathogens. Wow!

The FDA offers hotline phone numbers so if you are in a real jam and need a definitive answer NOW, call up someone who can help save the day!

Remember to use your brain and cook safe. Your family's health depends on it!

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