Food Safety for Older Adults Family and Consumer

Food Safety for Older Adults Family and Consumer Sciences

Four Easy Steps Clean Separate Cook Chill Family and Consumer Sciences

Clean • Wash hands with soap and warm water 20 minutes before and after handling food. • Clean cutting boards and utensils in hot water with soap. Family and Consumer Sciences

Separate • Use one cutting board for raw meat and one cutting board for ready-to-eat foods. • Keep raw meat and juices away from other foods in the grocery cart and refrigerator. Family and Consumer Sciences

Cook • Cook to safe temperatures. Use a food thermometer. Food Temperature Steaks and Roasts 145 o. F Fish 145 o. F Pork 160 o. F Ground Beef 160 o. F Egg Dishes 160 o. F Chicken, Turkey and Duck 165 o. F • Stir, rotate and cover food when microwaving. • Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating. Family and Consumer Sciences

Chill • Cool refrigerator to 40 o. F or below. Keep your freezer at 0 o. F or below. • Use an appliance thermometer to check temperatures. • Chill leftovers and takeout foods within 2 hours. • Thaw foods in the refrigerator. Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers. Family and Consumer Sciences

Avoid Unsafe Foods • Raw fish • Raw or unpasteurized milk or cheese • Soft cheeses • Feta • Brie • Camembert • Blue-veined • Mexican-style cheese made from unpasteurized milk Family and Consumer Sciences

Avoid Unsafe Foods • Raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products • Raw meat or poultry • Raw sprouts (alfalfa, clover, bean and radish) • Unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juice WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems. Family and Consumer Sciences

Avoid Unsafe Foods • Reheat hot dogs • Reheat luncheon meats, bologna and deli meats Steaming hot or 165 o. F Family and Consumer Sciences

Listeria • Grows in refrigerator temperatures. • Keep temperature at 40 0 F to slow growth or freeze. • Read food labels for product dates. Family and Consumer Sciences

True or False The Federal Government requires dating on packages. False: Only on infant formula and some baby foods. Family and Consumer Sciences

“Use-By” Date A. Purchase before or by date. B. Date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. C. Date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. D. Packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Family and Consumer Sciences

Close or Coded Dates A. Purchase before or by date. B. Date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. C. Date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. D. Packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Family and Consumer Sciences

“Sell By” Date A. Purchase before or by date. B. Date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. C. Date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. D. Packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Family and Consumer Sciences

“Best if Used By” (or Before) Date A. Purchase before or by date. B. Date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. C. Date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. D. Packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Family and Consumer Sciences

Why worry now? • Food is not the same. • Food comes from around the world • Food is mass produced in fewer locations. • Your immune system is not the same. • Because of your age. • Because of your health. • Medicines (antacids, immune-suppressing drugs, etc. ) • Chronic health conditions (diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, etc. ) Family and Consumer Sciences

We Know More Now • Some people are at greater risk than others. • • • Pregnant women Infants Young Children Seniors Individuals with weakened immune systems due to medications or disease • There may be long-term complications. • • • Acute kidney failure Diabetes Heart failure Guillain-Barré Syndrome Reactive arthritis Family and Consumer Sciences

Questions About Food Safety • Local Extension Office • www. foodsafety. org • USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline (1 -888 -MPHOTLINE) • FDA Information Center (1 -888 -SAFEFOOD) Family and Consumer Sciences