Holiday Food Safety

Out with the Old, In with the New:

Home Food Safety Traditions
Eat, drink and be merry with these simple home food safety tips from the American Dietetic Association.

Reckless Thawing
Old Habit: More than one out of four Americans admit to thawing their frozen turkey or other main meat dish on the kitchen counter, in the oven or even under hot water in the kitchen sink.

New Tradition: To prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, frozen meats should be thawed and marinated in a refrigerator set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, if pressed for time, you can thaw a wrapped frozen turkey (breast-side down) in a sink filled with cold tap water, making sure to change the water every 30 minutes.
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Flu Shot: Influenza Vaccine and Side Effects

Thinking about getting a flu shot or influenza vaccine this year? The influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, and flu prevention should be a goal for everyone.

According to the CDC, about 5% to 20% of Americans get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and about 36,000 people die. These statistics would decrease if more people took advantage of the opportunity to prevent the flu with an influenza vaccine or flu shot.
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