Uncover the ten common food safety mistakes that could be lurking in your kitchen. From improper storage to cross-contamination, these errors are easy to make but can have serious consequences. Learn how to avoid them and ensure your meals are safe and healthy.
Common food safety mistakes
Tasting food to see if it’s still good
- Putting cooked or ready-to-eat foods back on a plate that held raw meat
- Thawing food on the counter
- Washing meat or poultry
- Only wash raw fruits and vegetables
- Compiling plant-based foods
Mistake 7
Marinating meat or seafood on the counter
- Using raw meat marinade on cooked food
- Always marinate raw meat, seafood, and poultry in the refrigerator
- Cooked food is safe only after it’s been heated to a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria
Mistake #9: Not washing your hands
Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm, running water before and after handling food.
Mistake #5: Letting food cool before putting it in the fridge
Illness-causing bacteria can grow rapidly when perishable foods are left in the danger zone – between 40°F and 140°F.
- Always refrigerate foods in a timely matter.
Eating raw cookie dough
Never eat raw eggs because they may contain Salmonella or other harmful bacteria. Cook eggs thoroughly and avoid foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs.
- Even raw dough without eggs should not be consumed as raw flour may contain E. coli.
