7/31/2019 Food Thermometer Release 2011
1/2
FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Media contact: Ryan OMalley; Allison MacMunn
800/877-1600, ext. 4769; 4802
[email protected]
FEWER THAN ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS REGULARLY USE FOOD
THERMOMETER
TO ENSURE FOOD IS THOROUGHLY COOKED
New survey fromAmerican Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods
Home Food Safety Program
CHICAGOOnly 23 percent of Americans report regularly using a
food thermometer to check the doneness ofmeats, according to
aConsumer Knowledge of Home Food Safety Practicessurveyby the
American Dietetic
Association and ConAgra Foods Home Food Safety program.
One in six Americans gets sick from food poisoning each year.
However, easy steps such as using a foodthermometer to ensure
holiday turkey and other foods are cooked to the safe internal
temperature can help protect
your family and dinner guests from possible foodborne illness,
says registered dietitian and ADA Spokesperson
Ximena Jimenez.
Contrary to common belief, food that may contain harmful
bacteria cannot be easily identified visually or evenby taste or
smell, so the best way to avoid food poisoning is through
prevention, Jimenez says.
Using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to ensure
foods are thoroughly cooked and eliminate anyharmful bacteria that
may be present, but unfortunately less than a quarter of Americans
regularly use a food
thermometer, and many arent certain of the correct cooking
temperatures.
A guide on how to use a food thermometer as well as a listing of
safe minimum internal temperatures of foods
may be found atwww.homefoodsafety.org, along with other easy
steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Following safe food handling procedures is extremely important,
especially for those who can be at far greaterrisk of developing
serious illness from food poisoning, such as pregnant women, very
young children, older adults
and people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic
illnesses, Jimenez says.
Whether youre preparing a holiday ham, turkey or goose, or
everyday foods such as hamburgers or chickenbreasts, use a food
thermometer to ensure youre cooking to proper temperatures, says
Joan Menke-Schaenzer,chief global quality officer at ConAgra Foods.
On top of keeping us healthy, a food thermometer can also be a
helpful guide when determining when food is done. No more
overcooked holiday turkeys!
A Quick Guide to Thawing and Cooking the Perfect Turkeyand other
resources for reducing foodborne illnessare also available at
www.homefoodsafety.org.
###
** Effective January 2012, the American Dietetic Association
becomes the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics**
The American Dietetic Association is the worlds largest
organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is
committed
to improving the nations health and advancing the profession of
dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit
the American Dietetic Association atwww.eatright.org.
The American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods Home Food
Safety program is dedicated to raising consumer
awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and
providing solutions for easily and safely handling food in their
own
kitchens. More information can be found at
www.homefoodsafety.org.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399http://adahq/shares/Dep/PR/Home%20Food%20Safety/HFS%20FY%202012/Seasonal%20Initiatives/Winter/winter%20press%20release/www.homefoodsafety.orghttp://adahq/shares/Dep/PR/Home%20Food%20Safety/HFS%20FY%202012/Seasonal%20Initiatives/Winter/winter%20press%20release/www.homefoodsafety.orghttp://adahq/shares/Dep/PR/Home%20Food%20Safety/HFS%20FY%202012/Seasonal%20Initiatives/Winter/winter%20press%20release/www.homefoodsafety.orghttp://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2252http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2252http://www.eatright.org/http://www.eatright.org/http://www.eatright.org/http://www.eatright.org/http://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2252http://adahq/shares/Dep/PR/Home%20Food%20Safety/HFS%20FY%202012/Seasonal%20Initiatives/Winter/winter%20press%20release/www.homefoodsafety.orghttp://www.homefoodsafety.org/pub/file.cfm?item_type=xm_file&id=2399mailto:[email protected]
