By Types of Foods
Some foods are more frequently associated with food poisoning or foodborne illness. With these foods, it is especially important to:
- CLEAN: Wash hands and food preparation surfaces often. And wash fresh fruits and vegetables carefully.
- SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate! When handling raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
- COOK: Cook to proper temperature. See the Minimum Cooking Temperatures chart for details on cooking meats, poultry, eggs, leftovers, and casseroles.
- CHILL: At room temperature, bacteria in food can double every 20 minutes. The more bacteria there are, the greater the chance you could become sick. So, refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying.
Get the latest tips and techniques to keep these foods safe and prevent food poisoning.
![meat meat](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_meat.jpg)
| Meat Raw meat may contain bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria, or parasites. Thorough cooking destroys these harmful organisms, but meat can become contaminated again if it is not handled and stored properly. |
![roast turkey roast turkey](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_turkey.jpg)
| Turkey Turkey is often associated with holidays and parties. But, turkey can also be associated with foodborne illness if it is not thawed, prepared, cooked, and stored properly. |
![chicken roast chicken](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_chicken.jpg)
| Chicken and Other Poultry Poultry may contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, and campylobacter. Washing chicken and other poultry does not remove bacteria. You can kill these bacteria only by cooking chicken to the proper temperature. |
![seafood seafood](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_seafood.jpg)
| Seafood Like raw meat, raw seafood may contain bacteria that can be destroyed only by cooking. Some seafood may also contain toxins such as mercury which may be harmful for young children or an unborn baby. |
![eggs eggs](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_eggs.jpg)
| Eggs and Egg Products Fresh eggs must be handled carefully. Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain salmonella. To prevent food poisoning, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly. |
![milk and other dairy products milk and other dairy products](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_milkdairyprods.jpg)
| Milk, Cheese, and Dairy Products Raw milk, as well as cheeses made with raw milk, may contain E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. That’s why it’s important to make sure that milk has been pasteurized, which kills harmful bacteria. |
![fruits and vegetables fruits and vegetables](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/sm_fruitesveggies.jpg)
| Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Juices Fresh produce may come in contact with harmful bacteria from many sources, from contaminated soil and water in the fields to a contaminated cutting board in the kitchen. Fruit and vegetable juices must be treated to kill bacteria. |
![Baby Food and Infant Formula Baby Food and Infant Formula](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/infantformula_thumb.jpg)
| Baby Food and Infant Formula Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off infections. That's why extra care should be taken when handling and preparing their food and formula. |
![Pet Food Pet Food](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927230128im_/http://www.foodsafety.gov/images/petfood_thumbnail.jpg)
| Pet Food Like human food, pet food may contain harmful bacteria (such as salmonella) or toxins (such as melamine). If pet food is not handled properly, both pets and humans may be at risk for foodborne illness. |