Meriden Health Talk

Thanksgiving Food Safety

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In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Environmental Health staff is offering guidance on how to safely prepare and handle food to avoid foodborne illness this Thanksgiving!

  • One very important thing to remember is handwashing. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm water before handling food and especially after handling raw meat.
  • Raw meat, poultry and seafood should be kept separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Another important thing to remember is not to thaw turkey on the counter. It should be thawed in the refrigerator at 41°F or less or thawed in the sink completely submerged under running water at 70°F or less. Refer to the instructions located on the outside of the turkey package.
  • As far as cooking the turkey, use a food thermometer and ensure that all parts of the turkey are cooked to a minimum of 165°F. If stuffing the turkey, the stuffing must also be cooked to a minimum of 165°F.
  • Refrigerate any leftovers as soon as possible and reheat them to at least 165°F.
  • Leftovers, such as turkey, stuffing and cooked vegetables should not be consumed after 7 days from the day they were prepared.

    • We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

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    Meriden Health TalkBy meridenhealthtalk