How To Avoid Salmonella
Avoiding Salmonella—a type of bacteria that causes foodborne illness—requires careful attention to food handling, hygiene, and cooking practices. Here’s a clear guide to help you stay safe:
✅ How to Avoid Salmonella
🧼 1. Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash hands with soap and water:
- Before and after handling food
- After touching raw meat, eggs, or poultry
- After using the bathroom or changing diapers
- After handling pets or cleaning litter boxes
- Keep nails trimmed and clean to prevent harboring bacteria.
🍳 2. Cook Food Thoroughly
- Use a food thermometer:
- Poultry (chicken, turkey): 165°F (74°C)
- Ground meats: 160°F (71°C)
- Eggs: Cook until both the yolk and white are firm.
- Avoid undercooked or raw eggs (no runny yolks or unbaked batters).
🧊 3. Avoid Cross-Contamination
- Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables.
- Wash knives, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after contact with raw meat or eggs.
- Store raw meat in sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the fridge.
🥚 4. Handle Eggs Safely
- Buy pasteurized eggs if making recipes that call for raw or undercooked eggs (like homemade mayo or hollandaise).
- Refrigerate eggs as soon as you get home.
- Never eat raw dough or batter containing eggs.
🐔 5. Be Careful with Poultry
- Do not wash raw chicken—it can spread bacteria to your sink and counters.
- Cook all poultry thoroughly.
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils after use.
🧴 6. Keep Your Kitchen Clean
- Disinfect countertops and cutting boards regularly.
- Wash dishcloths, sponges, and towels often in hot water.
- Use a kitchen sanitizer if necessary.
🐢 7. Avoid Contact with Reptiles and Amphibians
- Turtles, lizards, and frogs often carry Salmonella on their skin.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling pets, especially reptiles or their cages.
🧊 8. Store Food Properly
- Refrigerate perishable foods below 40°F (4°C).
- Don’t leave cooked foods out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s hot out).
- Keep leftovers in airtight containers and consume within 3–4 days.
🛒 9. Shop Smart
- Buy meat, poultry, and eggs from reputable sources.
- Check expiration dates and avoid packages with leaks or damage.
- Use insulated bags or coolers to keep cold foods cold while shopping.