Food Prep Mistakes We Need to Know
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us try to keep up with the latest food warnings and prep tips to keep our families safe, but sometimes we miss a few.
WellAndGood.com recently posted a reminder about raw turkey or chicken, plus five more tips that are worth knowing.
Raw Turkey or Chicken Prep
The New York Times tells us rinsing raw turkey or chicken before putting it into the oven is not a good idea. Washing poultry does not remove bacteria, and there is a risk of spreading bacteria when you handle it.
Jennifer Quinlan, associate professor at Drexel University, says,"You should assume that if you have chicken, you have either salmonella or campylobacter bacteria on it, if not both. If you wash it, you are more likely to spray bacteria all over the kitchen and yourself, and the water is not hot enough to kill bacteria.
Five More Common Mistakes
WellAndGood points out some problems.
Washing produce after buying it - Bringing produce home, washing it, and then wrapping it in paper towels is typical. I have done this many times, but dietitians say it is better to wait until you are ready to use the produce. If you wash produce right away, extra moisture can lead to bacterial growth.
Not rinsing bagged lettuce - Instant salads are time-savers, but the dangers in pre-washed lettuce are rampant according to lawyers who work on food-related sickness cases. E.coli outbreaks make them questionable, as the lettuce gets handled by lots of people in the wash and delivery process. Bottom line: If you are eating bagged lettuce rinse it thoroughly before serving.
Eating avocados without washing - This one surprised me, but FDA food experts say the skins may carry bacteria from handling, soil or shipping that we pick up when we slice into them. They advise washing hands thoroughly and then washing avocados under running water with a clean vegetable brush. Dry before cutting.
Softening ice cream - If you let ice cream soften on the counter, you may be risking food poisoning. Experts say ice cream melts quickly and the milk and sugar ingredients make it a target for bacteria. Better to go out for ice cream or let it melt in the dish as you eat it.
Washing dishes as you load the dishwasher - Most of us sponge off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but there is one more important step. Dip dishes in a bleach solution for 60 seconds (one tablespoon bleach per gallon of water) to kill bacteria.
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