Why be concerned with safe food temperatures?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year over 5,000 people die from food-related illnesses, many of which are preventable.  Even cases that do not result in death can cause everything from flu-like symptoms to life-long after-effects.

So aside form being clean and sanitary in your food production¹, cook meats to their proper minimum temperatures.

 USDA Recommended Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures²

• Steaks & Roasts - 145 °F
• Fish - 145 °F
• Pork - 160 °F
• Ground Beef - 160 °F
• Egg Dishes - 160 °F
• Chicken Breasts - 165 °F
• Whole Poultry - 165 °F

How do you know for sure?  Get a calibrated cooking thermometer for $5.  Most retail stores have them, and you can buy them at bulk stores in pairs.

Safety first!

1. Wash your hands, rinse your food (where applicable), wash all surfaces that will come in contact with food, and re-wash your hands, with soap, each time you touch any other surface, or meat, between each part of food preparation. More information is available from USDA.gov.

2. Source: USDA.gov