The Associated Press - Ways to Eat Safe After Beef, Tomato Scares.
Some tips for safely preparing some outdoor favorites this Fourth of July. The National Consumers League says it's up to consumers to ensure the safety of foods they eat.
(July 4) AMERICANS WILL BE THROWING DOWN MEAT ON THE GRILL ... SLICING TOMATOES ... FOR A SUMMERTIME FEAST. BUT THIS COMES AFTER BEEF RECALLS ... AND MORE RECENT CONCERNS ABOUT TOMATOES LACED WITH SALMONELLA. INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW LOOKING AT OTHER PRODUCE FOR A CAUSE OF THIS OUTBREAK ... THAT SICKENED MORE THAN 900 PEOPLE IN 40 STATES.
SALLY GREENBERG OF THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS LEAGUE SAYS CONSUMERS HAVE TO WATCH WHAT THEY EAT.SOT: Food borne illnesses hit 75 million people in this country every single year. So it's really a situation where you have to take care of yourself. You can't necessarily count on the supermarket or the producers of food to keep you safe.THAT MEANS DOING YOUR OWN HYGIENE ... AT HOME.
Keep anti-bacterial sprays on your counter, zap your sponge, throw your dishtowel into the washing machine after you use it. Don't cross contaminate ... If you're cutting meat on one cutting board, don't use that cutting board to cut vegetables.IN THE SUMMER, FOOD IS UNDER MORE STRESS ...
Because of the heat we see pathogens and food-borne illnesses multiplying in various foods ... BUT WHAT ABOUT MEAT?SOT: Cook it thoroughly. Use a digital meat thermometer for your meats so they're cooked at least to 160 degrees when it comes to hamburger ...
AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE TOMATOES ... SOME ARE PERFECTLY FINE.SOT: Grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and tomatoes on the vine ...BUT PLUM TOMATOES AND RED RIPE TOMATOES ARE MORE SUSPECT ...SOT: If you put them under heat of 145 degrees for 15 seconds any salmonella that exists will be killed off.ADVICE FOR KEEPING SUMMERTIME FARE SAFE THIS FOURTH OF JULY.
