Food Safety Tips

Despite the open flames and razor-sharp knives, the real danger in your kitchen lies elsewhere – in the food. Each year, almost 50 million Americans suffer from food poisoning, with over 100,000 of them requiring hospitalization. Consuming food which is expired, undercooked, or dirty can lead to foodborne illness, so use these tips to protect yourself and your family.

• Store raw meat on the bottom shelf. The bottom shelf is one of the coldest areas in your refrigerator, which allows your meat to stay fresh for longer. Storing meat here also prevents it from dripping down and contaminating foods below.
• Wash produce before consuming. Unwashed produce contains a great amount of bacteria on the surface. Always rinse your fruits and vegetables under cold tap water before consuming, especially if you are planning on eating them raw.
• Thoroughly cook all meat. Undercooked meat is one of the primary sources of food poisoning. It is recommended to use a food thermometer when cooking meat, but if you don't have one, you will know your red meat is thoroughly cooked when the juices run clear, and pork and poultry should be white on the inside with no signs of pink.
• Keep your refrigerator between 34-39°F. This is the ideal temperature range to keep your refrigerator at; any lower than 34° and you risk your liquids freezing, any higher than 39° and the bacteria growth rate begins to skyrocket.
• Use two different cutting boards. One for your produce and one for your meat. Using a separate cutting board for each food source will help prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.
• When in doubt, throw it out. This is the golden rule of food safety. If you are unsure whether a not a food is okay to eat, play it safe and toss it in the garbage – no meal is worth a trip to the hospital.

At The Maids of Dallas, we are committed to the health and safety of you and your family. That is why we only use eco-friendly cleaning supplies and state-of-the-art equipment to remove more dust, dirt, and bacteria than our competitors. If you live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and are in need of a housecleaning service, call us for a free quote at (972) 437-6253.