IDPH Urges Illinoisans to Celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday Safely by Taking Precautions Against Food-borne Illnesses

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:text=Make%20sure%20turkey%20reaches%20a,(1)%20thickest%20...&text=If%20you%20stuffed%20your%20turkey,it%20reaches%20165%C2%B0F.?utm_source=riverbender&utm_medium=article_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CDC offers tips on how properly cook a turkey and avoid serious foodborne illnesses such as Salmonellosis. The first step is to safely thaw the bird. When turkey begins to thaw, any germs or bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again. This is why food safety experts recommend thawing turkeys in the refrigerator. It takes about 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey to thaw in the refrigerator, so it can take three days to thaw a 15-pound bird. If you don’t have time to use the refrigerator, you can use a sink of cold water (change water every 30 minutes), or a microwave. Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter.

The four main steps for food safety are:

• Clean – Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after preparing your food, especially before and after handling turkey, and before eating. Wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing raw turkey and before you prepare the next item.

• Separate – Raw turkey and its juice can contaminate anything they touch. Keep the turkey and its juices separate from foods that won’t be cooked and fully clean and sanitize surfaces that come into contact with turkey and its juices to prevent harmful germs from spreading to other food or your family and friends. Use one cutting board or plate for raw meat, poultry, and seafood and a separate cutting board or plate for produce, bread, and other foods that won’t be cooked.

• Cook – Use a food thermometer to check if the turkey and stuffing have reached a safe internal temperature of 165° F.Take the temperature in three places – the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. For stuffing, make sure the stuffing’s center reaches 165°F.

• Chill – For leftovers to be safe to keep, they must be refrigerated within two hours of serving or have been kept hot at or above 140°F or cold below 40°F. Discard any foods that sat out for more than two hours at room temperature. After eating, divide the remaining food into small containers and refrigerate or freeze it.Leftovers are safe in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat all leftovers to at least 165°F before serving or eating.

An easy rule is keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. And avoid food handling mistakes like thawing food on the counter or peeling fruits without washing them first.

Typical symptoms of foodborne illness include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and nausea, which can start anywhere from hours to days after consuming contaminated food or drinks. Symptoms can last from a few hours to a few days. It is important to stay hydrated when you have diarrhea and vomiting. Those at risk of severe or life-threatening foodborne illness include older adults, infants, young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. If you become severely ill, or if you are at risk for more severe disease, seek care from a medical provider to ensure a proper diagnosis and appropriate illness management.

More information on Food Safety During the Holidays can be found on the IDPH website.

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