The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Environmental Health
Division announces that September has been designated National Food Safety
Month. In accordance with health designation, Health Department
Environmental Health Director, Dorothy David notes, "So much attention is
given to the importance that food establishments, such as restaurants and
grocery stores, train their staff on safe food handling practices. However,
food safety is just as important in the home kitchen.

This Food Safety Month the Health Department wishes to provide
information to help area residents to serve safe and enjoyable meals at home
to yourself, and your family and friends.

David notes, "Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of germs from
one surface of food to another, which can lead to foodborne illness,
commonly know as 'food poisoning.' Avoiding cross-contamination is a key
part of food safety best practices."

The Health Department offers four easy tips for all home kitchens:

1) Wash Your Hands. Always wash hands before touching food. To wash
your hands properly, wet hands/arms with water as hot as you can comfortably
stand; add soap; scrub hands/arms for 10 to 15 seconds; rinse with warm/hot
water; and dry hands with a single-use paper towel or hand-dryer, if
available.

2) Touch Nothing But Your Food. Don't rub your nose, touch your hair,
pet your dog, or cough into your hand while preparing food - germs from
anything you touch can be transferred onto food.

3) Keep Food Apart. Don't store raw meats next to or above
ready-to-eat foods in your fridge. Prep salad vegetables before raw meat
and seafood, and use different utensils and knives for food that is ready to
eat and food you intend to cook. Use separate cutting boards and other prep
surfaces for raw and cooked food. A good way to remember which is which is
to use different colored boards, for example red for meats and green for
vegetables.

4) Treat Food Allergic Friends To A Safe Meal. If you're throwing a
dinner party and one of your guests has a food allergy, it's not enough to
simply pick the item in question off the dish. Food allergies can be
serious, so take extra care to prep the food allergic guest's dish
separately from other food, including using separate cutting boards and
utensils. And, of course, wash your hands!

David notes, "In addition, we would also like to take this opportunity
to inform area residents that if you are preparing to serve food to the
public though an event; you are required to either register with the Health
Department or apply for a permit so that we can better assist you in the
sanitation standards of food preparation."

For more information on food safety contact the Health Department at
(309) 852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us
on facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.

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