Health Tip: Don't Let Holiday Turkey Make You Sick

Follow these food safety guidelines

December 9, 2011 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- A case of food poisoning can ruin anyone's holidays. So take care with your turkey to reduce your risk of food-borne illness.

The American Dietetic Association offers these suggestions for buying and cooking turkey:

When buying the bird, make sure its packaging is well-sealed. Make the turkey the last item added to your grocery cart, and bag it separately from other groceries.
Freeze the whole, uncooked turkey in its original wrapping.
Never thaw your turkey on the counter. Instead, defrost it in the microwave, let it defrost slowly in the fridge, or let it defrost in cold water.
Wash hands carefully before and after handling the turkey.
Use a meat thermometer, making sure the cooked turkey reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure the temperature at the innermost portion of the turkey thigh.