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4205 North Boyer Avemue
Bonner County Fair Grounds
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 263-8511
Email: bonner@uidaho.edu  

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Bonner County Food Safety

• When you shop buy cold food last, get it home fast.  Don't buy anything you won't use before the use-by date.  Don't buy food in poor condition.

• When you store food, keep it safe, refrigerate.  Freeze fresh meat, poultry or fish immediately if you can't use in a few days. Put packages of raw meat, poultry or fish on a plate before refrigerating so their juices won't drip on other food.

• When you prepare food keep everything clean, thaw in refrigerator.  Wash your hands in hot soapy water before preparing food and after using the bathroom.

• When you're cooking, cook thoroughly.  Cook red meat to 160º F.  Use a meat thermometer to check that it is cooked all the way through.

• Safe Microwaving, a great timesaver, the microwave has one food safety disadvantage, it sometimes leaves cold spots in food.  Bacteria can survive in these spots. So..
      -Cover food with a lid or plastic wrap so steam can aid through cooking.  Vent wrap & make sure it doesn't touch the food. 
      -Stir and rotate your food for even cooking.  No turntable? Rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking.

• When you serve food never leave it out over two hours.

• When you handle leftovers, use small containers for quick cooking. Divide large amounts of leftovers into small. shallow containers for quick cooling in the refrigerator.

• Reheating.  Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil.  Heat other leftovers thoroughly to 165º F.

• Have you kept food to long?  When in doubt, throw it out!

Senior Extension Nutrition Program