Your Food Safety IQ 1. Two million American are

Your Food Safety IQ

1. Two million American are struck by food poisoning each year. 2. You can take a small taste to decide whether to use food that looks or smells strange. 3. Food-borne bacteria multiply rapidly at ordinary room temperatures. 4. Hamberger is less likely to contain food-borne bacteria than most fresh meat and poultry because the grinding destroys them. 5. Because room temperature speeds things up, it is best to thaw and marinate meat and poultry there. 6. Your pets can bring food poisioning bacteria into the kitchen. 7. Because everyone knows about food poisoning, cases of food poisoning usually are reported to health authorities.

Here are the answers. 1. True—Two million cases of food poisoning do occur each year, and almost all are avoidable. j<3. Rplse~Ev4£ h small amount of fftty) , ’ containing food-borne bacteria can., ’ 'fhalfe you vefjr"ill. It is best to throw out any food that is questionable. 3. True—Keep hot foods really hot and cold foods really cold to avoid food poisoning.

4. False—Hamburger receives more handling than other meats, so- it is more likely to contain food poisoning bacteria. To be safe, make sure your hamburger is brown or at least brownish pink in the center before serving. 5. False-Plan far enough ahead so that you can safely defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator. Marinate foods in glass or plastic and use the refrigerator for anything to set for more than an hour. 6 True-A dog may be man’s best friend, but pets can bring food poisoning bacteria into the kitchen. Pets also can get food poisoning. If you think a piece of meat may be unsafe for your family, it probably shouldn’t be given to the dog either. 7. False-Only an estimated one or two percent of the individual cases of food poisoning are ever reported to health officials. Victims often write their discomfort off as the “flu.”