One in six Americans suffers from foodborne illnesses each year, and many of these cases originate from home kitchens rather than restaurants, according to San Antonio Metro Health officials.

While restaurants often face scrutiny for food safety, home cooking can pose equal or greater risks when proper precautions aren’t taken, health officials warn.

“At home we’re very comfortable ... and that’s a big safety hazard. People think ‘I cook my own food, I’m in my own house, I am comfortable,’ but there (are) some time limits,” said Deborah Liu, a senior Metro Health environmental officer.

Metro Health officials emphasize several crucial steps to prevent foodborne illness: • Maintain a clean workspace and sanitized utensils • Use a food thermometer instead of guessing meat temperatures

See Full Page