|
We all eat out and bring in food. In the past, most food was prepared in the home - but today, fifty cents of every food dollar is spent on food prepared outside the home. This includes ready-to-eat foods from restaurants and supermarkets. Here's the way to make these meals even more enjoyable.
Eating Out
Eating in a restaurant, cafeteria, or a fast-food place is usually a safe and enjoyable experience. All foodservice establishments are required to follow food safety guidelines set by state and local health departments. But you should also take actions to ensure that your food is safe. Keep these rules in mind: Clean, Cook, and Chill.
Clean: When you eat out, look at your physical surroundings before you even sit down. If they're not up to your cleanliness standards, you might want to eat somewhere else.
Cook: No matter where you eat, always order your food cooked thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. When you're served a hot meal, make sure it's served to you piping hot and thoroughly cooked, and if not, send it back.
Don't eat undercooked or raw foods, such as raw oysters. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are especially at risk for getting sick. Also, avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs. They can be a hidden hazard in foods like Caesar salad, custards, and some sauces. If these foods are made with pasteurized eggs, however, they are safe. If you are unsure about the ingredients in a particular dish, ask before ordering it.
Bringing In
It seems like meal portions are getting bigger and bigger, and many people are packing up leftovers to eat later. Care must be taken when handling these leftovers.
The Doggie Bag: If you will not be arriving home within 2 hours of being served, it is safer to leave the leftovers at the restaurant.
Get Food Home Fast: Remember that the inside of a car can get very warm and bacteria can grow rapidly. For safety's sake, it's best to go directly home after eating out and put your leftovers in the refrigerator.
|
Let's Do Lunch!
We're on the go and often carry our lunches to work or school - or pack lunches for others.
Use these TIPS to pack a safe lunch!
Food Safety A to Z Reference Guide
Hypertext updated by dms 2008-JUL-06