11/17/2023
Hello Friends,
Thanksgiving Day is almost here again, and many people are asking us in phone calls, chats on our website, and emails to PME, to post a “how to” for safely thawing their holidays turkey so family and friends will not get sick with a foodborne illness because they did the wrong thing.
Thawing food, including your turkey is really a simple task, but only if you know that just like chicken, turkey also carries the salmonella bacteria. So, you need to practice “food safety.”
While there are really 4 safe methods for thawing foods that you could choose from, two of those methods are the most common form: 1). in the refrigerator, where it is cold, or 2). Under cold running water, if the water is “cold” and not warm or hot (bacteria need water at room temperature, or warmer/hotter to grow quickly- so don’t use it). Also, be sure that the water you use is constantly draining out of the sink, and not floating inside of it (that would be dangerous).
Remember to check the doneness of your turkey by sticking a clean, sanitary thermometer (and properly calibrated, of course) into the thickest parts or the turkey. Although, when the temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit without a delay it is minimally done. But we hope that when you expect your turkey to be fully cooked, you consider cooking it to just slightly higher than this minimum recommendation.
For more thawing tips, email us here to get your own fact sheet. If you want to see a recent USDA study on safe food handling, click here.
We value the health of every American, and we are dedicated to help transform the American food system by focusing our efforts in educating the food operators all over the United States to ensure the safe, wholesomeness, health, and nutritious food production for all communities.
If you have any questions, or if you just want more information for any food safety issue, email us here. We’d love to hear from you.
You can also call us: 832-581-7096 or 888-695-9926. A staff member will promptly help you or return your call.
We hope you have a fun and safe holiday season!
