Thanksgiving Food Safety

Pick the safest way to defrost your Thanksgiving Turkey.

• defrost in microwave

• leave out on your countertop

• In cold water, changing water every 30 minutes

• Defrost in refrigerator

True or False:

To avoid cross-contamination, wash your turkey.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Wash your hands, but not the turkey!  Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer.  However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils

Don't Eat Raw Dough because of what 2 food borne illnesses?

• Listeria, Botulism

• E. Coli and Botulism

• Salmonella and E. Coli

• Salmonella and Listeria

Any food left out for more than ____________ hours should be thrown away?

• 1 hour

• 2 hours

• 3 hours

• 4 hours

What is the danger zone?

• temperature when bacteria can grow

• food that causes food borne illness

• food that are allergens

Use a ______________ to make sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. F.

• Fork

• Tongs

• Meat Thermometer

• Toddler Thermometes

Refrigerate your Thanksgiving leftovers within ____________.

• 1 hour

• 3 hours

• 2 hours

When reheating your Thanksgiving leftovers, reheat to what internal temperature?

• 165 F

• 160 F

• 145 F

• 170 F

Who can you call for help with how to safely prepare your turkey on Thanksgiving?

• FDA

• USDA

• Elkhart County Health Dept.

• MyPlate

Answer explanation

You can all the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline on Thanksgiving Day from 8 am to 2 pm ET.