Don't let food safety be a casualty of the holiday season

Suggested Intro:

THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE A TIME OF FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FAVORITE FOODS. AND A FOOD SCIENTIST IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES WARNS THAT THE EXCITEMENT OF PARTIES AND GET-TOGETHERS CAN BRING WITH IT FOOD SAFETY CHALLENGES. GARY ABDULLAH HAS THE STORY.

Story:

(:18) MANY PEOPLE KNOW PROPER FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES, FROM USING A MEAT THERMOMETER TO THE ADAGE OF KEEPING HOT FOODS HOT AND COLD FOODS COLD. BUT PENN STATE FOOD-SAFETY SPECIALIST MARTIN BUCKNAVAGE REMINDS US THAT THE HUBBUB OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES GATHERING CAN WRECK THE BEST FOOD SAFETY INTENTIONS:

Bucknavage Actuality:

(:16) "WHEN YOUR FAMILY SHOWS UP, A LOT OF TIMES, ALL BETS ARE OFF. FOOD IS FLYING AROUND THE KITCHEN, PEOPLE AREN'T CLEANING UP AFTER THEMSELVES. THEY DON'T COOK IT TO THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT OUT ON THE TABLE TOO FAST -- THINGS BECOME VERY HECTIC, AND SO YOU HAVE TO BUILD IN THESE FOOD SAFETY FUNDAMENTALS INTO WHAT YOU'RE DOING."

(:15) BUCKNAVAGE SAYS PROPER ADVANCE PLANNING CAN KEEP YOU FROM SPREADING SOMETHING MUCH WORSE THAN HOLIDAY CHEER. ANOTHER FACTOR, HE SAYS, IS FAMILY TRADITIONS -- LEAVING FOODS ON A TABLE UNREFRIGERATED ALL DAY MAY BE CUSTOMARY, BUT IT'S TERRIBLE FOOD SAFETY. FROM PENN STATE, I’M GARY ABDULLAH.

LEARN MORE:

"Keep food safety in mind when preparing for holiday celebrations"