Food safety essentials as Father’s Day gifts

Whenever an area of the country experiences power outages, hurricanes, or severe heat or cold weather, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is always there with food safety advice.

This year, FSIS has branched out by offering gift suggestions for Father’s Day in the form of food safety essentials. It says Father’s Day is an opportunity to spotlight the loved ones who helped raise and nurture us. A great way to show appreciation to these special figures is to gift food safety tools that keep the whole family safe from foodborne illness. 

USDA has put together a gift guide of food safety essentials to make Father’s Day shopping easy:  

1. Food thermometer
   • A kitchen essential that ensures that all meats are cooked to a safe internal temperature that kills bacteria.
2. Fridge Magnet displaying safe minimum internal temperatures
3. Cooler, insulated bag, or insulated lunchbox
   • Coupled with a cold source like ice, frozen gel packs, or frozen beverages, these keep perishables at a safe temperature below 40 degrees F when you’re on the go.
4. Multiple grill utensils
   • With the popularity of grilling in summertime, separate utensils can be used to prevent cross-contaminating juices from raw meat and poultry with cooked foods.
5. Shallow food storage containers
   • Ensures leftovers cool quickly and safely. Remember, leftovers can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
6. Hand soap
   • No kitchen is completed without soap for washing hands! Use soap and water to wash hands for 20 seconds.
7. Multiple cutting boards
   • Use one cutting board for raw meat and poultry and another for all other ready-to-eat foods to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading.
8. Appliance thermometer
   • Use in the refrigerator, freezer, or even a cooler to ensure it is maintaining a safe temperature below 40 degrees F.  
9. Apron
   • Prevents raw meat and poultry juices from splattering onto clothes. Wash aprons and kitchen towels frequently using the washing machine’s hot cycle.

After stocking up on all your food safety essentials, FSIS suggests you enjoy a delicious meal with USDA-inspected meat and poultry products. FSIS inspectors ensure that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. Look for the USDA mark of inspection on meat and poultry products at the grocery store and have a food-safe Father’s Day!

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