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Maintain a Clean Holiday Kitchen

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(NewsUSA) - The enticing aroma of a special meal from your kitchen can signal a new season of holiday feasting with family and friends. But as your to-do list gets longer and shopping time grows shorter, make sure corners aren't cut when it comes to food safety -; especially during preparation, storage and cleanup.

Careless food preparation can contribute to poisoning from food-borne bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. One of the most dangerous -; yet common -; routes of food poisoning is through cross-contamination.

Here are some practical things you can do to prevent cross-contamination when preparing that popular holiday dish, from the Consumer Specialty Products Association:

* Thoroughly disinfect surfaces. Clean kitchen surfaces and utensils that have come in contact with raw foods, including fish, meat or poultry, before using them to prepare fresh foods like salads and fruit desserts. If possible, use separate sets of utensils when preparing several dishes -; especially when handling a variety of uncooked foods.

* Wash your hands. It's an obvious step but also the most overlooked. Scrub hands thoroughly in warm water and use antibacterial soap -; especially after handling raw foods.

* If your holidays won't be the same without making grandma's homemade eggnog, as well as other traditional favorites that use raw eggs, check with the Department of Agriculture for guidelines on how to buy, cook and store eggs safely.

* Prevent spoilage by refrigerating leftover foods. Don't forget dairy products, salad dressings and other food items that were part of a meal or buffet. If there are quantities of these items that you would like to save, refrigerate immediately.

* When finished in the kitchen, clean all surfaces, utensils and, most importantly, the kitchen sponge. Wet the sponges and cleaning materials thoroughly with disinfectant, work liquid through and rinse under hot running water.

Food poisoning can lead to serious complications in children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems. At worst, it can kill. Even though some multitasking is unavoidable during the holiday rush, maintain complete focus where food safety is concerned -; for you and your family's sake.

For more information, visit http://www.aboutgerms.com or http://www.stopgerms.org.