Valley Meats E. Coli 0157:H7 Ground Beef Recall Raises Food Safety Concerns
Safe Meat Handling and Food Hygiene Keys to Preventing Bacteria Contamination
This incident is of particular concern because E. coli bacteria contamination can cause severe stomach pains, bloody diarrhea and in some cases kidney failure. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there are important steps you can and should take with all ground beef to ensure that you and your family are protected from bacteria contamination.
Thorough Cooking
According to the CDC, the most important step people should take to ensure their meat is free of bacteria contamination is to cook all beef thoroughly to at least 160° Fahrenheit. The CDC also advises that, despite its popularity, ground beef should not be ingested if it is still pink in the middle. The agency recommends that should someone be served an under-cooked hamburger, her or she should ask that it be returned to the kitchen, thoroughly cooked and served on a new clean plate.
Though, many Americans prefer hamburgers and steaks cooked rare to medium-rare, the CDC warns that any beef with a pink center is at risk of containing live potential harmful bacteria.
Proper Meat Handling and Food Hygiene
The CDC also warns that one of the most common problems with food safety is improper meat handling that leads to cross-contamination. Raw meats contain large amounts of juices that can cause bacteria contamination of raw, uncooked vegetables like lettuce, onions, tomatoes and other sprouts and greens. The CDC asserts the importance of using good food hygiene by not using the same cutting boards for meats and uncooked vegetables.
This same mentality also goes for the packaging and storing of foods bought at the grocery store. Customers should make sure the person sacking their groceries keeps raw beef separate from raw fruits and vegetables and that they are never stored next to each other in the refrigerator.
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Published by RJ Lawrence
RJ Lawrence is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado. He has a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Public Relations with a minor in History. He specializes in professional writing and web design. He... View profile
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