| In
the summer, children constantly ask their parents when lunch
or dinner will be done. The answer to the question: “Is
it done, yet?” has formed the basis of a national USDA campaign
to encourage the use of thermometers when preparing meat,
poultry, and egg dishes, to prevent food-borne illness.
The campaign, which is being led by USDA's Food Safety and
Inspection Service is themed, "Is It Done Yet? You Can't
Tell By Looking. Use a Food Thermometer to be Sure!"
”Studies
have shown that using a food thermometer is the only way
to tell if harmful bacteria have been destroyed,” FSIS said.
For example, FSIS said that even if they look fully cooked,
one in four hamburgers may not be adequately cooked. Despite
this disparity, only six percent of home cooks use a food
thermometer for hamburgers and only 10 percent use a food
thermometer for chicken breasts, according to the latest
data from the Food Safety Survey, which was conducted by
FSIS and the Food and Drug Administration.
"FSIS
hopes the 'Is It Done Yet?' campaign hits home, and reminds
everyone to use a food thermometer to cook to safe internal
temperatures," Acting FSIS Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters
said. "By using a food thermometer to check whether meat,
poultry or egg dishes are done you also prevent overcooking
and guesswork. Food cooked to a safe internal temperature
is juicy and flavorful. If you use a food thermometer, then
you'll know the answer to: 'Is It Done Yet?' We encourage
people to get a food thermometer and become a role model
in their neighborhood."
FSIS'
recommendations for using a meat thermometer include:
*
Insert the food thermometer into the thickest part of the
food, making sure it doesn't touch bone, fat, or gristle.
*
Cook food until the thermometer shows an internal temperature
of 160° F for hamburger, pork and egg dishes; 145°
F for steaks and roasts; 170° F for chicken breasts
and 180° F for whole poultry.
*
Clean the thermometer with hot, soapy water before and after
each use.
FSIS
has created a website – www.isitdoneyet.gov -- to provide
consumers with recommended internal temperatures and instructions
on how to use a meat thermometer. Also, FSIS is partnering
with various organizations, agencies, and local groups to
help spread the meat thermometer message.
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