How do you take care of food properly?

1. Keep your refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the most important step in preventing food from spoiling. The cold temperature will inhibit the growth of bacteria.

2. Cook food to the proper temperature. Use a meat thermometer to make sure that meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature.

3. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.

4. Don't leave food out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is especially important for perishable foods like dairy products, meat, and eggs.

5. Defrost food safely. There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

6. Reheat leftovers thoroughly. Leftovers should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Keep your kitchen clean. A clean kitchen will help prevent food from becoming contaminated with bacteria.

8. Wash your hands before and after handling food. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria.

Additional Tips

* Use airtight containers to store food. This will help keep food fresh and prevent it from absorbing flavors from other foods.

* Label food storage containers with the date. This will help you track how long food has been stored and avoid eating spoiled food.

* Discard any food that has been in the refrigerator for more than three days. This is especially important for perishable foods like dairy products, meat, and eggs.

* Don't eat any food that has a strange smell or taste. This could be a sign that the food has spoiled.