Safe Food Handling Flashcards
What are the four simple lessons of safe food handling?
Clean: Wash hands, tools, foods, and surfaces often.
Separate: Don’t cross contaminate. Store your meats and fresh produce in separate areas.
Cook: Cook animal products to a safe temperature. Don’t rely on the colour of the meat, use a food thermometer and check a temperature chart.
Chill: Never defrost food at room temperature. Defrost in refrigerator, microwave or frequently changes warm water.
What is the minimum amount of time you should wash your hands for?
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
How long after purchase is raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood okay to cook?
Cook raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood stored in the refrigerator no more than 2-3 days after purchasing.
What is the best way to ensure food is safe to eat?
Cooking food properly is the best way to make sure it is safe to eat. Bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria are killed by heat.
How should you properly use a food thermometer to ensure an accurate reading?
- Insert the thermometer through the thickest part if the meat, all the way to the middle, not touching any bone
- For burgers, insert food thermometer through the side of the patty
- Check each piece separately if you have more than one piece of meat
- Use a digital thermometer for more accurate readings
How do you read the Internal Cooking Temperature Chart?
Look down the first column until you find the meat you’re using then go across to the second column to see the temperature.
At what time during your grocery trip should you shop for frozen food?
Buy cold or frozen food at the end of your shopping.
Within how many days should deli meats be eaten?
Use pre-packaged deli meats within 4 days after opening. Best before dates apply to unopened packages only.
What is important when making sauces, soups or gravies?
Bring gravies, soups and sauces to a full, rolling boil and stir during the process.
What is it in raw cookie dough that could make you sick if you eat it?
Avoid eating any raw or lightly cooked eggs or egg products such as in cookie dough or cake batter.
When should you cook microwave-defrosted food?
Food that has been defrosted in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing.
Why should you place raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator?
Place raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator so raw juices won’t drip onto other food.
What should you do with sliced or cut fruits and vegetables?
Store cut fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.
Why should you not use the same plate or utensils for raw and cooked meat, poultry, fish or seafood?
Don’t use the same plate or utensils for raw and cooked meat, poultry, fish or seafood because cross-contamination can occur. Raw juices can spread bacteria to your safely cooked food and this can cause foodborne illness.
Who should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked eggs, raw oysters, clams, mussels and sushi?
At risk populations (older adults, pregnant women, children aged five and under and people with weakened immune systems) should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked eggs, raw seafood such as sushi, raw oysters, clams, mussels and refrigerated smoked seafood.
