Simple Steps to Keep Food Borne Illness Off the Menu This Holiday Season

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With the 2024 holiday season quickly approaching, many Americans are planning their holiday meals. Amid the rush, it’s easy to overlook essential food safety precautions, but following these tips from University of Tennessee Extension can help ensure you and your guests enjoy holiday meals that are both delicious and safe.

“Hosting a holiday gathering requires careful attention to food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses,” said Kristin Riggsbee, assistant professor and nutrition and food safety specialist with UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. “By following simple steps like proper handwashing and cooking foods to the right temperature, you can help protect your guests and make your celebration memorable for all the right reasons.”

So, what are the steps? Most cooks know, but they’re worth repeating:

1. Clean
The first step to preparing a meal safely is to ensure your cooking space, utensils and ingredients are clean. Start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food and after using the restroom, sneezing or handling raw meat.

2. Separate
To avoid cross-contamination, which occurs when raw foods or contaminated surfaces come into contact with cooked foods, wash your hands frequently and store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.