Four steps to prevent holiday foodborne illness at home

The Monroe County Health Department is reminding residents to follow proper food handling practices throughout the holiday season.

“As the holiday season arrives, we urge residents to prioritize safety in the kitchen and maintain food at correct temperatures,” Chris Westover, environmental health director of the Monroe County Health Department, said in a community announcement. “We want to remind everyone to protect their health by following proper food handling practices to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.”

Foodborne illness comes from eating contaminated food and is preventable with proper food handling techniques. The health department recommends four steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses: clean, separate, cook and keep food hot or cold.

Start with clean surfaces and