10 myths about food safety

Over the years we have all heard advice related to keep our food safe. Some of the advice rings true, while other guidance is wrong. About one in six Americans ? 48 million people ? will get a foodborne illness this year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The purpose of this column is to help keep you and your loved ones from becoming part of that statistic! We all do our best to serve our families food that's safe and healthy. Below are 10 common myths about food safety that might surprise you.

Myth 1: Food poisoning isn't that big of a deal. You just have to tough it out for a day or two and then it's over.

Fact: Many people don't know it, but some foodborne illnesses can actually lead to long-term health conditions, and 3,000 Americans a year die from foodborne illness.

Myth 2: It's OK to thaw meat on the counter. Since it starts out frozen, bacteria aren't really a problem.

Fact: Actually, bacteria grow surprisingly rapidly at room temperatures, so the counter is never a place you should thaw foods.

Myth 3: When cleaning my kitchen, the more bleach you use, the better. More bleach kills more bacteria, so it's safer for your family.

Fact: There is actually no advantage to using more bleach than needed. To clean kitchen surfaces effectively, use just one teaspoon of liquid, unscented bleach to one quart of water.

Myth 4: You don't need to wash fruits or vegetables if you're going to peel them.

Fact: Because it's easy to transfer bacteria from the peel or rind you're cutting to the inside of your fruits and veggies, it's important to wash all produce, even if you plan to peel it.

Myth 5: To get rid of any bacteria on your meat, poultry, or seafood, you should rinse off the juices with water first.

Fact: Actually, rinsing meat, poultry, or seafood with water can increase your chance of food poisoning by splashing juices (and any bacteria they might contain) onto your sink

and counters. The best way to cook meat, poultry, or seafood safely is to cook it to the right temperature.

Myth 6: The only

reason to let food sit after it's been microwaved is to make sure you don't burn yourself on food that's too hot.

Fact: Letting microwaved food sit for a few minutes ( "standing time") helps your food cook more completely by allowing colder areas of food time to absorb heat from hotter areas of food.

Myth 7: Leftovers are safe to eat until they smell bad.

Fact: The kinds of bacteria that cause food poisoning do not affect the look, smell, or taste of food. To be safe, use this Safe Storage Times chart at foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html

to make sure you know the right time to throw food out.

Myth 8: Once food has been cooked, all the bacteria have been killed, so you don't need to worry once it's "done."

Fact: Actually, the possibility of bacterial growth increases after cooking, because the drop in temperature allows bacteria to thrive. This is why keeping cooked food warmed to the right temperature is critical for food safety.

Myth 9: Marinades are acidic, which kills bacteria ? so it's OK to marinate foods on the counter.

Fact: Even in the presence of acidic marinade, bacteria can grow very rapidly at room temperature. To marinate foods safely, it's important to marinate them in the refrigerator.

Myth 10: If you really want produce to be safe, you should wash fruits and veggies with soap or detergent before use.

Fact: In fact, it's best not to use soaps or detergents on produce, since these products can linger on foods and are not safe for consumption. Using clean running water is the best way to remove bacteria and wash produce safely.

The Savvy Consumer is a monthly article written by Meg McAlpine, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with University of Florida, Nassau County Extension Service. Ms. McAlpine provides research and fact-based information in the following areas: Nutrition and Health, Human Development, Family/ Individual finances and Health Care (Medicare, Medicaid). She can be reached at 904-530-6359 or connor@ufl.edu.