NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Thanksgiving is just three weeks away and one of the most important things to remember on the holiday is food safety.
A lot of us who do the cooking for Thanksgiving will soon be spending many hours here in the kitchen preparing the turkey and all of the sides.
But one thing you don’t want to bring to the holiday table is food poisoning! And there's one thing a lot of people get wrong that can actually make your guests seriously sick.
Rinsing off the bird -- it’s what many of us do with our Thanksgiving turkeys before they hit the oven. But spoiler alert! -- According to Consumer Reports and the USDA, rinsing won’t make your poultry any safer. In fact, you may be doing more harm than good.
“Rinsing raw poultry won’t remove salmonella or other harmful bacteria that can cause illness, only cooking it to an internal temperature of 165-degrees can do that," said Consumer Reports Health and Food Editor Trisha Calvo. "What rinsing will do is increase the chances of cross contamination in your kitchen.”
That’s because bacteria can easily spread to the sink, faucet, countertop, you name it. It’s something home cook Marina Ferro has known for years.
“I don’t like washing a turkey because I’m very scared of contamination," said home cook Marina Ferro. "I don’t like to put it in the sink, I don’t like to splash anything because it just gets everywhere.”
So how should you prep your turkey? First, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
If you want to remove that raw turkey slime, pat the bird with a damp paper towel, discard it and then immediately wash your hands again!
And here’s another warning: Be careful of those spice containers! Research has shown they can be covered in bacteria which can easily spread to your hands and then the food you’re preparing.
To play it safe, Consumer Reports recommends pouring seasonings into a separate dish beforehand and discard what you don’t use. You might also want to wipe down the containers after use.
And don’t forget to wash your hands before and after you check that online recipe! Research has found your phone may be teeming with bacteria that can travel to everything you touch, including food!
Be mindful of your sponges too. They can be hotbeds of bacteria! Sanitize them in the dishwasher or microwave wet ones for one minute. And, if they start to smell, that’s your cue to throw them away.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at jennifer.kraus@newschannel5.com.
Another example of how one person can truly make a difference. And the best part - we all can help! As a nurse, Laura handles emergencies every day. But nothing could prepare her for the emergency that brought her hometown to its knees. From her current home in Tennessee, she's mobilizing aid and supplies for Helene survivors and is helping make their recovery easier and their holidays brighter. I hope you take a moment to watch her story - you might even feel inspired to lend a helping hand.
-Rebecca Schleicher
