State Health Officials Offer Holiday Food Safety Tips

State health officials are reminding consumers about the importance of safe food preparation and storage in an effort to prevent foodborne illnesses this holiday season.

Officials with the California Department of Public Health said bacteria can be found in foods such as meat and poultry, and could cause someone to get sick if insufficiently cooked, inadequately cooled or improperly handled. The officials also said it's important to carefully wash fresh produce and keep uncooked food from touching raw meat or poultry.

Most foodborne illnesses can be prevented by taken some precautions. Cooks should wash their hands with soap and warm water before and after preparing food and especially after handling raw foods.

Health officials said to clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot, soapy water and rinse them with hot water after each use.

Cook food thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers promptly. Health officials said to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

— By Bay City News Service / Image via Pixabay