
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 13, 1994                   TAG: 9412130046
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TAKE NOTE

Food safety: During the busy rush of the Holiday's, it's especially important to remember food safety. The New River Health District recommends that regardless of how strictly the food industry is regulated to ensure a safe food supply, the consumer must be aware of how to prevent disease-causing organisms from reproducing and causing illness. Here are some basics for keeping food safe at home:

Shop wisely: Reduce the time perishable food will be without refrigeration - make food shopping the last stop before going home.

Store perishables promptly: Avoid leaving frozen or refrigerated food in your car or in a warm place.

Handle food carefully: Prevent cross-contamination by thoroughly washing hands and food preparation surfaces after each handling of raw meat, fish, poultry and vegetables.

Cook thoroughly: Serve hot food above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Reheat cooked foods to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information on food protection, call your local health department: Floyd County, 745-2141; Giles County, 921-2891; Montgomery County, 381-7114; Pulaski County, 994-0165; Radford City, 831-5774.

by CNB