Foods delivered cold should be eaten within 2 hours or refrigerated or frozen for eating at another time. You may wish to reheat your meal, whether it was purchased hot and then refrigerated or purchased cold initially. Reheat food to 165 °F using a food thermometer to check the temperature. Download educational resources, activity books, word games and coloring sheets provide to protect yourself and your family. Teach kids how you can safely buy, store, prepare and serve food. Follow these six tips to avoid food poisoning.
Safe Meals: Takeout, Delivery or Dining Out
Many people receive home delivered meals from churches, social organizations, senior assistance groups, or healthcare organizations. Hot or cold ready-prepared meals are perishable and can cause illness when mishandled. Proper handling is essential to ensure the food is safe to eat.
Video: Takeout creates a lot of trash. It does not have to.
Eating Out, Zero Waste and Declining Single Use Disposables (e.g. napkins, straws, etc.)
The concept of zero waste means producing less garbage. Our single-use items are not helping the fight against climate change but there are easy ways to reduce waste and reuse. Wasted food often gets overlooked, but according to an assessment by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 6.7 percent of all global greenhouse gases come from food waste.
Download a quick overview for staying healthy and free from food poisoning when getting takeout, delivery or dining out. A reference guide of invaluable information on meal prep, shopping, and storage lists of DOS and DON’TS food safety from the grocery cart to the refrigerator.
Download Food Handling Fact Sheets
7 Steps Community Meals and Food Safety in the Kitchen Advice About Eating Fish and Shellfish Chart Only Advice About Eating Fish and Shellfish Chart Only - Spanish Advice About Eating Fish and Shellfish Chart Plus Questions and Answers Buy, Store and Serve Safe Food for Buffets or the Holiday Season Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely Should I Eat the Fish I Catch Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely Should I Eat the Fish I Catch - Spanish Cooking for Groups and Holiday Food Safety in the Kitchen Food Safety for Safe Handling When Getting Takeout or Delivery Grill it Safe Food Safety Card Grill it Safe When Cooking Outdoors Food Safety E-Card Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors - Spanish Healthy Guests Happy Holidays Food Safety Flyer Holiday Food Safety Brochure Keeping Bag Lunches Safe From Bacteria That Cause Foodborne Illness Keeping Bag Lunches Safe From Bacteria That Cause Foodborne Illness - Spanish Meal Prep Lists of Dos and Don’ts Food Safety from the Grocery Cart to the Refrigerator New and Improved Nutrition Facts Label New and Improved Nutrition Facts Label - Spanish Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Consumers Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely Selecting and Serving Produce Safely Selecting and Serving Produce Safely- Spanish Shopping and Storage Lists of Dos And Don’ts Food Safety from the Grocery Cart to the Refrigerator Tailgating Food Safety Q & A Test Your Safety Knowledge About Ready-to-Cook Foods Thanksgiving Holiday Food Safety Information The Raw Story Frozen Chicken Entrees for Food Safety Turkey Thawing Hints from the National Turkey Federation 
What is a Serving Size Graphic What You Need to Know About Juice Safety What You Need to Know About Juice Safety - Spanish 
Safe Public Events
Information and Resources
- Cook It Well
Cooking food to the proper temperature gets rid of harmful germs. Use a food thermometer to check meat and microwaved dishes on your menu.
Make sure chicken wings (and any other poultry) reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F and that ground beef items reach 160°F.
Follow frozen food package cooking directions when cooking in microwave. - Keep It Safe
If preparing food in advance, divide cooked food into shallow containers and store in a refrigerator or freezer until the party begins. This encourages rapid, even cooling.
Keep hot foods at 140°F or warmer. Use chafing dishes, slow cookers, and warming trays to keep food hot on the buffet table.
Keep cold foods, like salsa and guacamole, at 40°F or colder. Use small service trays or nest serving dishes in bowls of ice.
Getting takeout or delivery? Make sure to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold.
Divide large pots of food, such as soups or stews, and large cuts of meats, such as roasts or whole poultry, into small quantities for refrigeration to allow them to cool quickly and minimize time in the temperature “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F. - Watch the Time
Follow recommended cooking and standing times.
“Cold spots”—areas that are not completely cooked—can harbor germs.
Always follow directions for the “standing time”— the extra minutes food should rest to finish cooking.
Track the time that food stays on the buffet.
Throw away any perishable foods that have been out at room temperature for two hours or more. - Avoid Mix-ups
Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods like veggies when preparing, serving, or storing foods.
Make sure to use separate cutting boards, plates, and knives for produce and for raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Offer guests serving utensils and small plates to discourage them from eating directly from the bowls with dips and salsa. - Store and Reheat Leftovers the Right Way
Divide leftovers into smaller portions or pieces, place in shallow containers, and refrigerate or freeze.
Refrigerate leftover foods at 40°F or below as soon as possible and within two hours of preparation. It is OK to put hot foods directly into the refrigerator.
Refrigerate leftovers for three to four days at most. Freeze leftovers if you will not be eating them soon.
Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F before serving. This includes leftovers warmed up in the microwave.
Serving Salsa on Game Day?
Try this recipe for fresh salsa that uses fresh garlic and fresh lime juice. Remember to refrigerate any homemade salsa until it is time to serve. Nest the bowl in ice on the serving table or make sure you follow the two-hour rule.
Ingredients
18 fresh Roma tomatoes
1 medium jalapeño pepper, stem removed
1 small sweet onion, peeled
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons fresh garlic
2 ounces fresh lime juice
Directions
- Wash your hands and clean the cutting board and prep area with soap and hot water.
- Rinse the tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro under walking water.
- Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
- Finely dice the onion, jalapeño pepper, and garlic.
- Chop the cilantro leaves into small pieces.
- Combine tomatoes, peppers, onion, cilantro, salt, garlic, and lime juice in a bowl and refrigerate until serving time.
Information and Resources
FoodSafety.gov Charts: Food Safety at a Glance
How long can you store leftovers in the refrigerator? How can you tell when chicken breasts are done? How long does it take to cook a turkey? Check out these charts for fast answers.
Storing Food Charts
Storing Food
Whether putting food in the refrigerator, the freezer, or the cupboard, you have plenty of opportunities to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Preparing and Cooking Food Charts
Preparing and Cooking Food
One of the basics of food safety is cooking food to its proper temperature. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
FoodSafety.gov: FoodKeeper App
The FoodKeeper helps you understand food and beverages storage. It will help you maximize the freshness and quality of items. By doing so you will be able to keep items fresh longer than if they were not stored properly. It is also available as a mobile application for Android and Apple devices.
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Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Food Safety Activities, Coloring Sheets, Infographics and Videos
A Handbook for Kitchen Food Safety A to Z Food Safety Reference Guide Anyone Can Get Food Poisoning Poster Bad Bug Book Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook Fight BAC Food Safety Poster Food Safe Families Activity Book Food Safe Families Activity Book - Spanish Food Safety Activity Worksheet Food Safety at Home or School and When Eating Out Activity Book Food Safety Keep Hands Clean Food Safety Shopping Lists Food Technology Educational Activity Book and Worksheets Information on Food Safety After School Information on Food Safety After School - Spanish Learn Food Safety, Hygiene and Preparation for Kids Safe Recipe Cooking with Nutritious Ingredients Safe Recipe Cooking with Nutritious Ingredients - Spanish Safe Recipe Download the Sample Recipe Cards for Food Safety Safe Recipe Style Guide Safe Recipe Style Temperature Chart for Food Safety Safe Recipe Tips for Writing Food Safe Recipes Safe Recipe Tips for Writing Food Safe Recipes - Spanish School Lunch Food Safety Tips Flyer Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce Cheat Sheet USDA Food Safety Mobile Coloring Book Download Food Safety Activity Sheets
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BAC with Cookie Dough Food Safety Coloring Sheet BAC with Turkey Food Safety Coloring Sheet Certificate of Participation Food Safety Coloring Sheet Food Safety Mistakes Coloring Sheet Fruits and Vegetables Food Safety Coloring Sheet Handwashing Food Safety Coloring Sheet Hot and Cold Food Safety Coloring Sheet Keep Kitchen Clean Food Safety Coloring Sheet No BAC Logo Food Safety Coloring Sheet Perishables Food Safety Coloring Sheet Picnics Food Safety Coloring Sheet Recipes Food Safety Coloring Sheet Refrigerator Food Safety Coloring Sheet Safe Handling Label Food Safety Coloring Sheet Thermy Coloring Sheet Wash and Dry Food Safety Coloring Sheet Download Food Safety Videos
7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables Video Barbecue Basics Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness Food Safety during Power Outages Video Food Safety in the Kitchen Video Food Safety Video - Cooking to a Safe Internal Temperature and How to Use a Food Thermometer Food Safety Video - Cross Contamination Food Safety Video - Gear Up for Food Safety Food Safety Video - How to Thaw Foods Properly Food Safety Video - How to Use a Food Thermometer Food Safety Video - Smart Kids Fight BAC Food Safety Video - Super Bowl Cooking with Martie Duncan Food Safety Video - The Importance of Cleaning and Washing During Food Preparation Fresh and Frozen Seafood Selecting and Serving it Safely Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Bake Safely Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Bake Safely - Spanish Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Keep Foods Separate Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Keep Foods Separate - Spanish Prevent Food Poisoning Video - People at Higher Risk for Food Poisoning Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Safety Tips for Handling and Preparing Common Food Prevent Food Poisoning Video - Symptoms of Severe Food Poisoning Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices The Dangers of Unpasteurized Milk The Food Label and Your Party Food Gametime Play By Play What You Should Know The Latest on Hand Sanitizers What You Should Know The Latest on Hand Sanitizers - Spanish Download Food Safety Educational Infographics
5 Steps to Clean Your Refrigerator About Cooking for Groups Food Safety Infographic Be a Germ Stopper Cover Your Cough Flyer Be a Germ Stopper Cover Your Cough Flyer - Spanish Check the Cheese, Avoid Listeria Infographic Check the Cheese, Avoid Listeria Infographic - Spanish Food Safety in the Kitchen Infographic Fruit and Vegetable Safety Infographic Fruit and Vegetable Safety Infographic - Spanish Get Ready to Grill Safely Infographic Get Ready to Grill Safely Infographic - Spanish Graphics About Food Safety Graphics About Food Safety - Spanish In an Emergency Food Safety in the Kitchen Infographic Keeping Food Safe A Global Responsibility Infographic Raw Milk, Know the Raw Facts Rules of the Game for Food Safety Infographic Rules of the Game for Food Safety Infographic - Spanish Safety Tips for Handling and Preparing Common Foods Infographic The Food Production Chain Safety Infographic The Raw Story – Frozen Chicken Entrees Download Handwashing Activities, Worksheets, Posters and Videos
About Global Handwashing Day About Global Handwashing Day Advocacy Toolkit About Global Handwashing Day Hand Hygiene Why How and When Brochure Food Safety Handwashing Story Activity Placemat Printable Page 8x14 or 11x17 Handwashing Activity Worksheets Handwashing Chart Handwashing Fight Germs Wash Your Hands Video Teaching Young Children Handwashing Family Guide Wash Hands Video - Spanish Washing Hands Safety Fact Sheet Washing Hands Safety Fact Sheet - Spanish What You Should Know The Latest on Hand Sanitizers Video What You Should Know The Latest on Hand Sanitizers Video - Spanish Download Hooray for Handwashing Activities
Back to School Activity Sheet Clean Hands at the Beach Activity Sheet Clean Hands Finger Tips Infographic Clean Your Paws for Santa Claus Activity Sheet Don't Do the Flu Activity Sheet Don't Hand Those Germs To Me Poster Global Handwashing Day Poster Going Beyond Green to be Clean St. Patrick's Day Activity Sheet Handwashing Bookmark Handwashing Bookmark - Spanish Have U Washed Hands Brochure Have U Washed Hands Brochure - Spanish Have U Washed Hands Poster Hooray for Handwashing Coloring Sheets Hooray for Handwashing Coloring Sheets - Spanish 
Hooray for Handwashing Music Track Hooray for Handwashing Story Book Horray For Handwashing Its Fun to Scrub Music Track Its Fun to Scrub Sheet Music Jeremy the Germ Activity Book Jeremy the Germ Story Book Look at Me Music Track Look at Me Sheet Music Raise Your Hand for Hygiene Activity Sheet Remember Music Track Remember Sheet Music When, Why and How We Wash Hands Poster When, Why and How We Wash Hands Poster - Spanish Download Scrub Club Activity Worksheets
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Scrub Club Wallpaper 1024x768 Scrub Club Wallpaper 800x600 Download Handwashing Educational Posters
Be a Germ Stopper at School and Home Poster for Boys Be a Germ Stopper at School and Home Poster for Girls Do Not Forget How-to Handwashing Safety Information Poster 1 Do Not Forget How-to Handwashing Safety Information Poster 2 Do Not Touch the TZONE with Your Hands Safety Information Poster Hand Awareness Safety Information Poster Handwashing Poster 1 Handwashing Poster 2 Handwashing Poster 3 Temperature Affect Germs Safety Information Poster What Germs Could Do To Your Hands Safety Information Poster
