This program is an affiliate of UC Cooperative Extension

UC Cooperative Extension
9335 Hazard Way, Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 822-7724
Email: scsalado@ucanr.edu

Food Safety at the Holidays

Naughty or Nice?

#1: Using Dirty Towels

Yuck! Recent USDA-sponsored research found dish towels to be the most contaminated kitchen surface they examined. The study published in Food Protection Trends revealed that Salmonella and E. coli can survive in cotton dish towels and might contribute to cross-contamination at home.
What does this mean to you?

If you grab a towel after handling raw meat and before washing your hands, that towel could be contaminated.

Stay on the food safety "nice" list.

Dish Towels: If you use cloth towels in the kitchen, wash them frequently in the hot cycle of your washing machine.

Paper Towels: If you use a paper towel to wipe surfaces or hands, toss it after one use. Do not re-use it.

Here's to a healthy holiday!

Holiday Q and A

How do I thaw a turkey?

How do I roast a turkey?

How do I cook stuffing so it is safe?

How do I keep foods safe on a holiday buffet?

How do I safely store leftovers?

Poultry Hotline

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1.888.674.6854

Open Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (5am-11am Pacific Time)

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm Eastern Time

Food Safety Experts

Ask Karen, Your Food Safety Expert

Mobile phone:Go to m.askkaren.gov

Call 1-888-674-6854 or Chat online
(weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Email your question to mphotline.fsis@usda.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dial 1.800.SAFEFOOD (1.800.723.3663) for questions about safe handling of the many foods that go into a delicious holiday meal; including eggs, dairy, fresh produce, and seafood.

¿Quiere saber cuánto tiempo puede conservar carnes rojas con seguridad en el refrigerador? ¿O cuánto tiempo hervir un huevo? ¿Si es mejor usar tablas de cortar de madera o plástico?

Tan sólo pregúntele a Karen, su guía de conocimiento experto sobre manipulación y almacenamiento seguro de alimentos para prevenir el envenenamiento.

Utilice esta página para buscar nuestra base de datos de preguntas más comunes sobre inocuidad alimentaria (disponible 24/7). A través de su dispositivo móvil o tableta m.preguntaleakaren.gov.