Food Safety

A critical part of healthy eating is keeping foods safe. Use Penn State Extension’s extensive selection of resources on home food safety including storage guidelines for refrigerators and freezers, food safety tips, cleaning fruits and vegetables, tips on handwashing, and preventing foodborne illnesses.

Proper Food Storage at Home

How much do you know about food safety? Do you, for example, know what meats and cheese should be refrigerated? Do you know the optimum temperature your refrigerator should be kept at so that it maintains the quality of food and slows the growth of pathogens? You may have many questions about food safety in your home, and Penn State Extension has the answers.

Good food safety practices should be followed when preparing, preserving, and storing food. Do you fully understand the date marks on the food you buy and what to do with your leftovers? When you buy food from the store, it’s generally marked with a sell-by or use-by date. Food recalls are another way producers can help to keep customers safe.

When it’s food you’ve produced at home, however, knowing how long you can keep it can be challenging. It’s not always immediately apparent whether food is spoiled, but there are things to look out for, such as mold growth, color, texture, and odor change. Being able to recognize these signs is crucial if you want to keep your family safe.

Home Food Handling and Safety

Your best defense against illness is to wash your hands regularly. Washing raw food is something else you should practice in the home. Washing raw chicken, on the other hand, is an exception to the rule as it can lead to cross-contamination and increase the risk of someone getting sick from a foodborne illness. You should also handle food safely, such as checking the temperature of food when cooking.

Food processors and manufacturers help you keep your food safe by carefully labeling their products, but these are only valid if you follow safe storage practices. These also apply to leftovers, as they need to be handled, stored, and reheated safely in order to prevent people from getting sick.

If you’re making cheese, Penn State Extension has a wide selection of home cheese making resources, including recipes, tips for choosing supplies and utensils, making cheese, and book and website suggestions.

Safe Handling of Game Meat and Fish

Hunting and fishing are some of Pennsylvania’s most popular outdoor activities. If you enjoy hunting and eating game meat, food safety practices start in the field. Since much of the butchering of game meat is done there, you’re increasing the risk of contamination. Field dressing should take place as soon as possible, to prevent surface bacteria from contaminating and spoiling the quality of the meat. Use this pocket guide to field dressing deer when you go hunting.

Proper care and handling of all fish and game, whether it’s venison, game birds, or any other type of wild game and fish, should be practiced. Any perishable meat, including raw or undercooked game meat often contains harmful bacteria that can cause illness when ingested. Bacteria can be present on the meat, cutting surfaces, and your hands. It’s therefore important to follow game meat safety principles. Wash your hands often, can game meat in a pressure canner, and heat jerky to 160°F before dehydrating.

Home Food Safety at Parties and Family Occasions

When the weather is warm, many people enjoy eating outside, whether it’s a picnic or a summer party. Food safety is equally important, especially if you’re inviting friends and family.

In the fall, the football season is another time of the year for partying. If you’re planning a tailgating party this year or preparing homegating food for your buddies, remember food safety is a key component. It should be considered when shopping, preparing, cooking, serving, and storing your homegating food.

Christmas is also a time when people enjoy eating together. You should pay particular attention when preparing, serving, and cleaning up food during the holidays.