Is It Done? How to Make Sure Your Food is Safe

Is it done? How to make sure your food is safe

WASHINGTON The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a campaign to promote the use of food thermometers, including an offer of a free brochure.

The campaigns slogan: Is it done yet? You cant tell by looking. Use a food thermometer to make sure.

The agency says it wants people to use a food thermometer, either dial or digital, to ensure that meat, poultry, fish and egg products are perfectly cooked and perfectly safe.

Food thermometers are critical tools that will keep food safe from foodborne bacteria, the agency says. Here are some tips for using them:

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the food, making sure it doesnt touch bone, fat or gristle.

Cook food until the thermometer shows an internal temperature of 160 degrees for hamburger, pork and egg dishes; 145 degrees for steaks and roasts; 170 degrees for chicken breasts; and 180 degrees for whole poultry.

Clean your thermometer with hot, soapy water before and after use.

Food safety information in English and Spanish is available by calling the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) 674-6854 year- round, from 9 a.m. CST to 3 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, to speak with a specialist; and at other times for recorded messages.

Free copies of the Is It Done Yet? brochure may be ordered by sending your name and address to Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 11, Pueblo, CO 81009, or online at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/ rc/ safefood.htm.

Consumers may also ask food safety questions by logging on to the FSIS online automated-response system called Ask Karen, available on the Web site at http://www. fsis.usda.gov.E-mail inquiries can be directed to MPHotline@fsis.usda.gov.