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Meat and Poultry Hotline


Cold 1 – Hot 2: Don’t Let Bacteria Score a Touchdown on Super Bowl Sunday

January 21, 2020 Clara Yuvienco, Food Safety Education Staff, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

The rules of a football game are clear, but many don’t know game-day food safety rules. Help your guests stay healthy by tackling offensive bacteria that could be in possession of your food. Be ready to intercept foodborne illness and protect the serving line with a defense of food safety tips.

Health and Safety

SOS on Turkey Day – My Turkey Isn’t Ready, What Do I Do Now?

November 26, 2019 Chrystal Okonta, MSPH, CHES, Technical Information Specialist

On Thanksgiving, sometimes mistakes happen that make your turkey day a turkey don’t. What should you do if the turkey isn’t ready in time? Here are some ways to save the day.

Health and Safety

Four Steps for a Food Safe Thanksgiving Feast

November 20, 2019 Meredith Carothers, MPH, Technical Information Specialist, FSIS

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and you may be spending a lot of time with family, friends, and eating tons of great food. Thanksgiving can be busy, especially with all the preparation and planning, but everyone can have a food safe turkey-day by keeping these four simple steps in mind.

Health and Safety

How 26 Percent of Participants Transferred Bacteria from Raw Chicken to Their Salads

August 20, 2019 Adam Ghering, MS, Public Affairs Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

The debate on whether or not to wash raw poultry is a fierce one, but until recently it was not a debate backed by science. A recent study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) further demonstrates that individuals are putting themselves at risk of illness when they wash or rinse raw...

Health and Safety

Share the Love, not the Bacteria

November 14, 2018 Marianne Gravely, MS, Senior Technical Information Specialist, FSIS

At this time of year, many community groups, volunteer organizations, work places and other groups celebrate Thanksgiving with a potluck meal. When cooking for a large group, it is important to keep in mind the needs of your guests. Do any of your guests have food allergies or dietary restrictions...

Health and Safety

You Can Do It: Thanksgiving for Busy Families

November 08, 2018 Marianne Gravely, MS, Senior Technical Information Specialist, FSIS

Everyone is busy these days, but there’s no busy like holiday busy. Now is the time to start making your plans so that your Thanksgiving dinner will be safe and stress-free.

Health and Safety

USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline Keeps You “Food Safe” in the Summer!

July 19, 2018 Archie Magoulas, Technical Information Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

Whether it’s a family BBQ, camping, hiking or going to the beach, summer activities can get hot! When food is a part of those activities, keep in mind the old saying: Safety first!

Health and Safety

How to Avoid Uninvited Guests at Your Summer Outing

July 10, 2018 Archie Magoulas, Technical Information Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

In the summertime, as the weather begins to heat up, our microscopic friends, called bacteria, begin to make uninvited appearances at our cookouts, picnics and even camping trips. Sometimes these little friends can be helpful, but other times, they just make you sick.

Health and Safety

Millions of Americans with Dirty Hands Are Spreading Dangerous Bacteria

June 28, 2018 Adam Ghering, Public Affairs Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

Have you ever seen someone handling food in a way that you would never do yourself? Maybe they were preparing raw poultry and then immediately handled lettuce without washing their hands. Or maybe they did wash their hands, but they dried them by wiping them on their pants. You would never do that...

Health and Safety

Oh, the Places You’ll Go – With Food Safety!

May 22, 2018 Janell Goodwin, Technical Information Specialist, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!” Welcome to yet another rendition of the infamous Dr. Seuss tale that you’ve probably heard at your graduation ceremonies and from family and friends. By the time I graduated college, I could basically recite this...

Health and Safety
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