For General Audiences
Barbecue and
Food Safety |
PDF
|
En
Español |
En
Español PDF
Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.
Basics
for Handling Food Safely |
PDF
|
En
Español |
En Español PDF
Lists safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage; includes
a cold storage chart.
Be
Safe -- Don't Cross-Contaminate (PDF Only)
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other
food. After cutting raw meats, wash hands, cutting board,
knife, and countertops with hot, soapy water.
Be
Smart. Keep Foods Apart. Don't Cross-Contaminate
By following these simple steps, you can prevent cross-contamination
and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The Big Thaw -- Safe
Defrosting Methods for Consumers |
PDF
Learn about the three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator,
in cold water, and in the microwave.
Cleanliness
Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness |
PDF
By keeping everything clean that comes in contact with food,
consumers can be assured they are helping to do their part
to Fight BAC!®
Color of Meat and Poultry |
PDF
What factors affect the color of meat and poultry? What do color changes mean in terms of food safety?
Common
Questions About Food Safety from the USDA Meat &
Poultry Hotline
Questions and answers under a variety of topics.
Cooking Safely in the Microwave Oven |
PDF |
En
Español |
En
Español PDF
This fact sheet lists the basics for safe microwave cooking or reheating.
Cutting Boards and Food Safety |
PDF
To avoid cross-contamination, choose and maintain your cutting boards with food safety in mind.
Do
New Products Enhance or Endanger Food?
Facts about thawing trays, solar box cooking, disposable temperature
indicators, thermoelectric cooler/warmers.
Doneness
Versus Safety
Is "done" the same thing as "safe"? What does it mean to cook
to proper temperature?
Door-to-Door
Meat Sales |
PDF |
En
Español |
En Español PDF
Consumers must know important information about the dealer
and the company before making a decision they might later
regret.
Everything Counts When It Comes to Protecting Your Family (PDF Only; 1.4mb)
This is an English translation of
Todo Cuenta Cuando se Trata de Cuidar a su Familia.
See our En Español pages for
more Todo Cuenta materials.
Fighting
BAC!® by Chilling Out
Cold temperatures keep harmful bacteria from growing.
Food Product
Dating |
PDF |
En
Español |
En
Español PDF
Background information on what dates do and don't tell you
about the safety of your food.
Food Safety Tips for College Students |
PDF
The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline answers questions from parents or students
about the handling and storage of food for college kids.
Food
Safety in the Kitchen: A "HACCP" Approach
Think about preventing safety hazard in the kitchen before
problems occur.
Food Safety Tips for College Students |
PDF
The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline answers questions from parents or students
about the handling and storage of food for college kids.
Food
Safety While Hiking, Camping & Boating |
PDF |
En Español |
En Español PDF
Whether you are in your kitchen or enjoying the great outdoors,
there are some food safety principles that remain constant.
Freezing
and Food Safety |
PDF
How to freeze food safely and how long to keep it.
Handling
Food Safely on the Road |
PDF |
En Español |
En Español PDF
Plan ahead and pack safely for the camping trip, boat ride,
day at the beach or trip in the RV.
High Altitude Cooking |
PDF
Food safety considerations for cooking meat, poultry, and egg products at altitudes above 3,000 feet.
Hotline
Answers "Panic Button" Food Safety
Questions |
PDF |
En Español |
En Español PDF
During the holidays, people are busy and can sometimes forget
that unsafe handling and cooking can lead to foodborne illness.
Here are some questions callers have asked regarding the safety
of their holiday foods.
How
Temperatures Affect Food |
PDF
Keep food out of the Danger Zone between 40° and 140 °F.
Keep
Food Safe! Food Safety Basics |
PDF
Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential
in preventing foodborne illness.
Keep Hands
Clean! with Good Hygiene (PDF Only)
Colorful 8½ by 5½ card conveys the theme for
National Food Safety Education Month 2005.
Keeping
"Bag" Lunches Safe |
PDF |
En
Español |
En Español PDF
Food brought from home can be kept safe if it is first handled
and cooked safely.
Kitchen Companion: Your Safe Food Handbook (PDF, Single Page, 3.3mb) |
PDF, Facing Pages (2.8mb) |
Alternate Text-Only Version
This food safety handbook contains all the basic information you need to know about food safety...some old, some new...
and all in one place.
Mail
Order Food Safety |
PDF |
En Español |
En Español PDF
These tips will help the purchaser and recipient determine
if their perishable foods have been handled properly.
Meat Packaging Materials
Includes a glossary of packaging terms.
Microwave Ovens and Food Safety
|
PDF
This comprehensive fact sheet answers all your microwave questions.
Molds On Food:
Are They Dangerous? |
PDF
Includes a chart, Moldy Food: When to Use, When to Discard.
This information is helpful after an extended power outage
or a flood.
No-Show
Guests Jeopardize Food
When guests encounter emergencies and the meal must be delayed
or cancelled, food must be handled "just right" to remain
safe.
Refrigeration
& Food Safety |
PDF
Covers the importance of refrigeration, placement of foods,
proper storage temperatures and times.
Safe
Handling of Take-Out Foods |
PDF |
En Español
|
En Español PDF
Keep take-out and delivered foods safe and store leftovers
properly. Download the
SIT
(Stuffed Image Format) for professional printing.
Slow Cookers and Food Safety |
PDF
|
En Español
|
En Español PDF
Used correctly, this countertop appliance is safe and convenient.
Smoking
Meat & Poultry |
PDF
|
En
Español |
En Español PDF
Where there's smoke, there's well flavored meat and poultry.
Using a smoker is one method of imparting natural smoke flavor
to large cuts of meat, whole poultry, and turkey breasts.
Top
Ten Reasons to Handle Your Food Safely
Published in honor of the Meat & Poultry Hotline's 10th year
of operation.
Washing Food: Does It Promote Food Safety? |
PDF
How to prevent cross-contamination; safe cleaning methods.