You read labels, buy fresh foods, and do your best to prepare
tasty meals for your family. But one thing that might not cross
your mind as you cook is food safety. Why is food safety so
important? Proper food preparation protects against foodborne
illnesses from bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella,
Campylobacter, and Listeria (which can cause diarrhea, fever,
abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration). Safety
precautions include knowing how to select foods in the grocery
store, then storing them properly and cooking them safely, plus
cleaning up well afterward. Here's how to make sure your kitchen
and the foods you prepare in it are safe. Buying safe food is
the first step. To ensure freshness, refrigerated items (such as
meat, dairy, eggs, and fish) should be put in your cart last.
Keep meats separate from other items, especially produce. If
your drive home is longer than 1 hour, consider putting these
items in a cooler to keep them fresh. When purchasing packaged
meat, poultry, or fish, check the