food borne illness

Food Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner and Leftovers

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woman prepares a turkey

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, food. However, with all the excitement of the holiday, it’s important to remember food safety practices to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable meal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food-borne illnesses are a common and significant public health problem in the United States. Each year, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.

Prevention is Key

The good news is that food-borne illnesses can be prevented by following proper food safety practices. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner:

Clean

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

  • Wash all produce under running water, even if you plan to peel it.

  • Clean and sanitize all surfaces that will come into contact with food, such as countertops, cutting boards, and utensils.

Separate

  • Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.

  • Use different cutting boards for raw meat, poultry, seafood, and produce.

Cook

  • Cook all meat, poultry, and seafood to the proper internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to check for doneness.

  • The safe internal temperatures are:

    • Ground meats: 160°F

    • Ground poultry: 165°F

    • Whole poultry: 165°F (breast, thigh, and stuffing)

    • Beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops, and roasts: 145°F with a 3-minute rest

    • Seafood: 145°F

Chill

  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly within two hours of cooking.

  • Store leftovers in shallow containers to allow them to cool quickly.

  • Cover leftovers tightly to prevent them from drying out or absorbing odors.

Storing + Reheating Leftovers Leftovers

Proper storage of leftovers is essential to prevent food-borne illnesses. Here are some guidelines for storing Thanksgiving leftovers:

  • Turkey: Cooked turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

  • Stuffing: Cooked stuffing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

  • Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

  • Gravy: Gravy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

  • Desserts: Pies and cakes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating leftovers, it’s important to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check for doneness.

Freezing Leftovers

For longer storage, leftovers can be frozen. Here are some guidelines for freezing Thanksgiving leftovers:

  • Turkey: Cooked turkey can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

  • Stuffing: Cooked stuffing can be frozen for up to 1-2 months.

  • Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to 1-2 months.

  • Gravy: Gravy can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

  • Desserts: Pies and cakes can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

By following these simple food safety guidelines, you can help ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner is not only delicious but also safe for everyone to enjoy.

Ice cream recall: National Listeriosis outbreak being traced to “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups

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Ice cream product recall

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is advising consumers not to eat any flavor of “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY. This is due to a national outbreak of Listeriosis that has been linked to the ice cream cups. At this time, no illnesses related to this outbreak have been identified in Connecticut. There have been Listeria infections in other states that have been linked to this product.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY.

In response to these findings, Real Kosher Ice Cream has been cooperating with the FDA investigation and voluntarily recalled all flavors of “Soft Serve On The Go” 8-oz cups. This product was distributed to retailers in several states including Connecticut. Real Kosher Ice Cream has temporarily stopped production of these products. The recalled product is packaged in an 8 fl. oz. clear plastic cup. The product looks like a soft serve cup served in an ice cream store, with a clear plastic cover with a seal and spoon attached to it.

DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD said, “Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Those exposed to Listeria can have symptoms occur within a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating foods that are contaminated. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, so anyone who suspects they may have the illness should contact their health care provider.”

FDA’s investigation is ongoing and updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.  Consumers should discontinue consumption of the product immediately. Please dispose of this product or return to your store of purchase for full credit. Consumers with questions may contact our Soft Serve on the Go team at: 845-668-4346 or info@softserveonthego.com. Monday thru Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST.

Grocery and convenience stores that carry the brand are asked to remove the ice cream and contact the
manufacturer by calling 845-668-4346 or email info@softserveonthego.com. Monday thru Friday 9am to 5 pm
EST.

For more information about listeriosis and this outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov. For more information about the recall, go to www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.

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