1. Never consume raw flour.
The FDA starts off its list of safety tips that can help you avoid foodborne illness this fall with a warning about raw flour: It may contain harmful bacteria. “If you’re baking apple pies, pumpkin bread, or anything in between, you’re likely using flour,” the FDA says, “and it’s important to remember that flour is a raw food.”
2. Keep raw foods separate.
Disease-causing bacteria or pathogens can contaminate surfaces, so follow this rule to avoid spreading foodborne illness: Keep things separate. Clean your appliances, cutting boards, dishes, and all other kitchen tools with hot soapy water after preparing separate food items. Don’t forget countertops, kitchen surfaces, and stovetops, too!
3. Follow the recipe to a “T.”
Not willingly consuming raw flour, eggs, and other ingredients is an easy way to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses, but perhaps the most important is to simply follow the recipe! There’s a reason why there are specific cooking temperatures and times to follow.
4. Clean up!
Use hand sanitizer often when at the grocery store, and wash your hands when you get home. Use hand sanitizer often when at the grocery store, and wash your hands when you get home. The FDA says it’s also best to clean surfaces often when preparing a meal—whether the food you’re working with is raw or not.
5. Refrigerate quickly.
One way bacteria can spread is if food isn’t properly chilled—before and after preparing it. The FDA recommends “refrigerating or freezing meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within two hours of cooking or purchasing.”
6. Pay close attention to fresh juice and cider.
Like meat, poultry, seafood, flour, and eggs, fresh produce may also carry the harmful bacteria which cause foodborne illnesses. So it’s important during cider season to be careful with buying or making fresh-squeezed drinks.