When in doubt, throw it out!
Words to live by from McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) staff as September is recognized as National Food Safety Education Month. The month is observed every September to raise awareness about preventing foodborne illness and practicing safe food handling, with this year's theme focusing on 'Everyone's Table,' which focuses on food safety being a shared responsibility. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 48 million Americans (1 in 6) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from food poisoning each year.
Niki Duffy, public information officer and emergency response coordinator for the McDonough County Health Department, reminds residents of four simple steps to avoid foodborne illnesses: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.
CLEAN: Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before handling any food or eating. Wash all food preparation surfaces, utensils and dishes after each use. Rinse all fruits and vegetables with clean water before preparing or eating them.
SEPARATE: Use separate cutting boards, utensils and plates for produce, meat, poultry, seafood and eggs. Always wash surfaces thoroughly after they come into contact with raw meat. Keep raw meats separate in your grocery cart and bags, as well as in your refrigerator. Never consume raw batter with egg as an ingredient when baking.
