With family and friends gathering Thursday for Thanksgiving, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development encourages Michiganders to keep food safety top of mind during the holiday week.

Simple steps to ensure a successful holiday feast free of foodborne illnesses include:

Planning ahead

— Store food at the correct temperatures before preparation;

— Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are set to 40 degrees F and below and 0 degrees F, respectively;

— Make room for holiday meal items and leftovers by clearing outdated foods from the refrigerator;

— Make sure refrigerator shelves and storage drawers are clean by washing and wiping them with hot, soapy water and letting them air dry; and

— Use a cooking thermometer to help make sure food is cooked completely and safe

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