Food Safety
Eating food that has not been properly prepared or stored can make you sick. Did you know it is possible for food to be contaminated with harmful microorganisms without looking, smelling or tasting bad?
Food borne illness
Food borne illness occurs when you eat food that contains harmful microorganisms or toxins. It can make you very sick, especially for people with weak immune systems (i.e., pregnant women, children and older adults). Not only will it make you sick, but it can also result in long-term health effects and possibly death.
Signs and symptoms of food borne illness |
| Signs and symptoms can occur within a few hours to up to several days after eating contaminated food. If you have difficulty breathing, swallowing, or if you develop paralysis or double vision, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Signs and symptoms of food borne illness include:
|
| Product | Minimal internal cooked temperature Celsius (°C) | Minimal Internal Cooked Temperature Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| All ground meat (other than poultry) | 71 | 160 |
| Ground poultry | 74 | 165 |
| Poultry pieces | 74 | 165 |
| Whole poultry (with or without stuffing) | 82 | 180 |
| Pork or pork products | 71 | 160 |
| Fish | 70 | 158 |
| Food mixtures containing egg, meat, poultry, fish, or other hazardous food | 74 | 165 |
Use a thermometer to check internal food cooking temperatures.
Reheating
Food must be reheated to the original cooking temperature within two (2) hours, except for whole poultry which can be reheated to 74°C (165°F) within two (2) hours.
Resources
- Get the Safe Food Facts
- Health Canada Safe Food Handling Tips
- Food Safety During and After a Power Failure
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency - current food recalls, food policy and up-to-date information