BRIEF: Health department offers food safety tips

Jan. 31--Health officials are encouraging fans to consider six simple safety tips as they prepare food for their Super Bowl parties.

"Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day for food consumption in the United States," said Greg Inman, Boone County Health Department environmental director. "Reminding people to practice these six simple food safety tips will keep penalties from ruining the buffet table."

1. Keep it clean. Wash hands frequently with soap and warm, running water for at least 20 seconds before handling food and after using the restroom or touching pets. Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item. Rinse all produce under running water before preparing.

2. Cook it well. Remember to use a food thermometer to ensure meat and microwaved dishes have reached the safe internal temperature. Refer to the Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures chart for the "rest time" of meats, http://1.usa.gov/1xwS7it.

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