Food Safety!

When you are immunocompromised, you are especially susceptible to any food borne illness therefore keeping your food safe is essential during this time.  By following the FDA’s steps Clean, Separate Cook, Chill, you will reduce the risk the developing a food-borne infection. Detailed information may be found at foodsafety.gov.  General steps can be found below!

FOOD SHOPPING

1. Check expiration dates on food and do not buy or use if the food is out of date.
2. Do not purchase ready-to-eat food from bulk food bins (Breads, nuts, dried fruit, candies)
3. Avoid all food in cans that are swollen, dented, or damaged.
4. Avoid produce that is not bruised or damaged
5. Bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry and seafood products

FOOD STORAGE

• Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (i.e. cucumbers, tomatoes) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below.   
• Refrigerate all produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled.
• Beef should be refrigerated it at 40° F and use within two days.  Beef can be frozen at 0° F and use within six months of the purchase date.

FOOD PREPARATION

COOKING

1. Cook foods immediately after thawing
2. All raw foods such as meats, poultry, and entrees should be cooked until they are well-done.  Beef should be cooked to 160° F, depending on the cut.  Chicken should be cooked to an internally temperature of 165° F. Cold foods should be stored <40° F, hot foods kept >140° F.  A home thermometer may help.

STORAGE OF COOKED FOODS 

1. Store leftovers within two hours. By dividing leftovers into several clean, shallow containers, you’ll allow them to chill faster.  Discard leftovers that were kept at room temperature for greater than 2 hours
2. Perishable foods (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy) should be put into the fridge or freezer within two hours. In the summer months, cut this time down to one hour
3. Do not use leftovers prior to reheating to > 165° F before serving. 

BABY FOOD/INFANT FORMULA

1. Never put baby food in the refrigerator if the baby doesn’t finish it. Do not feed your baby directly from the jar of baby food. Instead, put a small serving of food on a clean dish and refrigerate the remaining food in the jar. If the baby needs more food, use a clean spoon to serve another portion. Throw away any food in the dish that’s not eaten. If you do feed a baby from a jar, always discard any remaining food.
2. Prepare safe water for preparing formula.  Bring tap water to a roiling boil and boil it for one minute. If you use bottled water, follow this same process. Cool the water to body temperature before mixing the formula.
3. Sterilize bottles and nipples before first use. After that, wash them by hand or in a dishwasher.
4. Formula can become contaminated during preparation, and bacteria can multiply quickly if formula is improperly stored. Prepare formula in smaller quantities on an as-needed basis to greatly reduce the possibility of contamination. Always follow the label instructions for mixing formula.

MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMEDATIONS

1. Do not drink directly from cans outside.  Cans should be rinsed and wiped down with water first and then poured into a clean glass for consumption. 
2. Do not drink well water. Bottled or tap water ONLY
3. Remove exterior wrappers before eating.
4. Do not share utensils or eat from the same plate/container with family members or friends.