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On Wednesday, Dec. 9, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosted its third-annual Twitter chat using the tag #CDCfoodchat to give consumers tips on keeping holiday meals safe and healthy. It’s important to remember food safety year-round because about one in six Americans is sickened with foodborne illness every year, and about half of those 48 million cases are children. When hosting your next #HolidayParty, remember to keep hot food hot and keep cold food cold! #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/1TUJdoN3SA 4 steps to holiday #FoodSafety: Clean, Separate, Cook, & Chill https://t.co/9iut6ORUOo #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/slmxkwFNet Grocery shopping? Tips for choosing & storing fruits & veggies. #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/a0WHEkyV8m Prevent food poisoning by getting tips specific for types of food. https://t.co/Vc2tr4hWG7 #CDCFoodChat .@FroBunni No need to avoid. Pay attention to how food is handled and stay away from risky foods. https://t.co/xcNEgx6HOV #CDCFoodChat If one of your guests are at risk for foodborne illness, select safer holiday foods. https://t.co/Z30Su7wZVx #CDCFoodChat When thawing frozen leftovers or any other frozen food, NEVER thaw on the counter top. https://t.co/B23HftlFjN #CDCFoodChat Defrost frozen foods in 1 of 3 ways-under cold running water, in the fridge, or in the microwave. Don't leave it on the counter #CDCFoodChat If you thaw it in the microwave, cook it right away—it’s not safe to go back in the fridge. #FoodSafety #CDCfoodchat If thawing meat in fridge – put in a glass baking dish! That ziplock bag is not enough to prevent leaking! #CDCFoodChat Don't use stagnant water to thaw either. My mom used to do that. #foodsafety #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/Jf4nH9EemP The bigger the bird, the earlier it needs to go in the fridge! Learn more at https://t.co/0TadmyZOW6 #CDCFoodChat Wash hands & surfaces often. Bacteria can get onto cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, & food. https://t.co/0rXndNW9BU #CDCfoodchat Handwashing is 1 of the best ways to prevent spreading infection & illness #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/NfQN6VPvDu pic.twitter.com/fkihNBcKxy Frequently wash your hands while preparing meals #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/R48S0KC47R Why wash your hands when prepping food? Read the science behind CDC’s recommendations #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/jxGBXsmkG4 #Washyourhands often to prevent the spread of germs. Nobody likes being sick during the holidays #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/QBu3gJJcr2 Food safety is in YOUR HANDS – 80% don't wash thoroughly before food prep: https://t.co/oqAGp3btmb #cdcfoodchat Tip for a #kidsafeholiday: Wash your hands frequently & make sure your children do the same https://t.co/AoSeycs4M4 #CDCFoodChat Fun maze to help teach kids the importance of #handwashing! Download: https://t.co/UCW8PNw0Sa #kidseatright #CDCfoodchat Prompt kids to sing the ABC's during hand washing to ensure they're washing them for long enough. #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/6Aj86W3Wcq Wash produce (fruits & vegetables), & rub firm-skin fruits and vegetables under running tap water. #CDCfoodchat pic.twitter.com/39WfInwAkk .@JoannaGalli it's not necessary to wash pre-washed produce. If you choose to do so, be careful about cross contamination. #CDCFoodChat Make sure to clean all your food prep surfaces to avoid cross-contamination #CDCFoodChat @FroBunni Cleaning and Sanitizing are two separate and important steps. https://t.co/RpK6JDKITY #cdcfoodchat .@Tlibarian Washing poultry is a no-no! It's unsafe and unnecessary. Here's more on that: https://t.co/MWEUDiGd0W #cdcfoodchat #FoodSafety begins at the grocery store. Separate meats from produce to prevent cross contamination. #CDCFoodChat Keep raw foods (like salad) away from potential contaminates like raw meat when preparing your meal #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/8yJDZgawEk Store raw meats below ready-to-eat foods in the fridge to avoid cross-contamination #CDCFoodChat Keep separate cutting boards for produce and meats – https://t.co/3I35GyNLPf #foodsafety #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/IagTUz66Hl I use different colors to remind me #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/UBC0aMh3gj Raw meat & cooked meat don’t mix! #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/7mfYG8zclI pic.twitter.com/g2J3bS1Vzs Cook food to proper temperature. #CDCfoodchat 165º F chicken/leftovers 155º F hamburger 145º F pork, steaks, fish, eggs 135º F vegetables Different traditions call for different dishes. Cook your #holiday meats to the right temp! #CDCFoodChat #FoodSafety pic.twitter.com/gt7vKX4xBr Slow cookers are great to keep food hot! How long can food stay in these pots? #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/qIedvRavx7 Use a slow cooker on your buffet to keep hot foods above 140˚F #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/GljaSueWv4 Use a thermometer when microwaving to cook your holiday meal? Yes! #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/pYcUM92iXl Ready-to-cook isn’t the same thing as ready-to-eat. Learn how to handle ready-to-cook foods safely! #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/tDKywmNlqM .@Original_JamieD For optimal safety we say nix the stuffing. But if you do, use a food thermometer to be sure it reaches 165F. #CDCFoodChat You can cook stuffing this way, but there are a few considerations. Use these tips: https://t.co/f1tMlkoktv @Original_JamieD #CDCFoodChat Traveling w/ food makes it easier for bacteria to grow – keep it safe https://t.co/zs5ZPiB9BO #CDCfoodchat #foodsafety Wrap dishes in insulated bags or towels & newspaper to keep hot foods hot when traveling #CDCFoodChat Attending a holiday party? Use a cooler w/ ice or gel packs to keep food below 40˚F when transporting #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/rPJ6JzoOse #Foodsafety tips may be different when traveling abroad. Eat & drink safe w/ this infographic. #CDCfoodchat pic.twitter.com/wazs73Jlz7 Bring our international food & water tips w/ u for #healthyholiday travel; get the Can I Eat This? app! https://t.co/E0v9ldyPnB #CDCfoodchat Alert your friends & family if you’re sending perishable food, so it gets refrigerated/frozen promptly #CDCFoodChat .@FaithPepp Sending holiday treats? Make sure perishable items stay cold throughout shipping #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/UVUnpN1z3b This is a great guide about food safety for canning from @FoodSafetygov: https://t.co/QKZbR09D91 #CDCfoodchat https://t.co/2E8PC5I6Ev nobody wants botulism for Christmas RT @NchfpUGA: Beware of gifts of home canned “secret” recipes without tested recipes #CDCFoodChat Home canned food gift questions: where did the recipe and process come from, when and how it was made. #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/1CqabxcJst Practice safe home-canning to prevent #botulism #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/SiL8cnmpTr Eggnog & raw cookie dough: Get info on raw eggs & when to use pasteurized eggs #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/1kdbkaZnNr pic.twitter.com/ecHzl6QMRk Eating uncooked cookie dough with raw eggs in it can make you sick. Remember to cook the dough according to the directions. #CDCFoodChat .@Original_JamieD If contaminated unpasteurized eggs are used in eggnog you can't count on alcohol to kill all the bacteria. #CDCFoodChat Serving eggnog this year? Get tips for making it safe. #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/ulywbZlqhf @CDCgov For eggnog, cooking the eggs to 160 F (use a kitchen thermometer) will make them safe to eat #CDCFoodChat https://t.co/ea4nZxb4nV Chill out! Go40orBelow from Fight BAC! https://t.co/b6BFMkDoz6 #CDCFoodChat pic.twitter.com/b6bBqyZVtQ
