Newswise — Thanksgiving is an opportunity to share a meal with loved ones, but it is also a time when small mistakes in the kitchen can lead to foodborne illness. Dr. Ben Chapman, food safety specialist and assistant professor of food science at North Carolina State University, can offer suggestions to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is a safe one.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million Americans have foodborne illness annually, leading to approximately 5,000 deaths each year, and Chapman notes that holiday turkey meals have been linked to outbreaks of bacterial diseases caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter.

鈥淭he biggest risk comes from undercooking,鈥� Chapman says. 鈥淐olor is not an indicator of safety or doneness. We see suggestions in recipes about making sure 鈥榯he juices run clear,鈥� but that鈥檚 a myth. You also have to worry about cross-contamination 鈥� which can happen when countertops, sinks or utensils aren鈥檛 being cleaned properly between use with raw meats and other foods.鈥�

More information on food safety is also available online at .

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TYPE OF ARTICLE
Feature Expert
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Winter Holidays Food and Water Safety
KEYWORDS
Food Food Poisoning Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner Food Safety Food Safety Salmonella Campylobacter Illness Death
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