Follow the 2-2-4 rule. It’s not a football play, but a simple guideline to keep food safe.

2: Two hours is the maximum amount of time food should be left out after cooking. Within two hours of serving, put it in the refrigerator or freezer.

2: Two inches of food in a shallow dish is the best way to make keep foods out of the danger zone. Food safety experts at USDA note that bacteria can grow when the food temperature is between 40° F and 140° F. Shallow dishes help the food to cool down quickly and evenly – the only way to prevent bacteria growth

4: Four days is how long you can safely keep leftovers. Make sure to reheat them to 165 before you indulge.

Some prep work before the big day can make sure your food storage game is at its best. Consider cleaning and organizing the refrigerator and freezer before food shopping to create room for perishable foods.

Check out this infographic with the best locations to keep different types of foods in the refrigerator. Raw meat, poultry and seafood should be in a sealed container or wrapped securely to prevent raw juices from contaminating other foods. Try to allow enough room so cold air can circulate.

When those Thanksgiving leftovers are nearing the four-day mark, consider some ideas from our expert to make good use of them.

Leftovers are a great way to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal for days to come and to reduce food waste. Follow food safety guidelines to keep you and your family safe.

Originally published Nov. 19, 2018

The post Got Thanksgiving Leftovers? Keep Them Safe. appeared first on Best Food Facts.

First off, is microwaving food safe?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “Yes. There is very little evidence that microwaving itself poses any risks. The only potential risk resulting from the uneven distribution of heating that creates pockets of low temperature is the survival of pathogenic organisms. This has been illustrated with a number of raw frozen chicken entrees which have caused salmonellosis cases due to the lack of thorough heating.”

In addition, Dr. Diez- Gonzalez says that there are certain types of containers that are not safe, or recommended to microwave. These types of containers include:

• Metal containers
• Some soft plastic materials
• Paper plates
• Cardboard

The best types of containers to microwave are ceramics and glass.

Does microwaving food cause any loss in nutritional value?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “Similar to other types of food heating, microwave can also lead to a small reductions in vitamin content. However, the rapid microwave heating is less detrimental to labile nutrients than conventional heating.”

How hot does a microwave get? Does it cook my food to safe levels?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “A microwave does not heat itself. The microwave heats the materials placed inside of the microwaving chamber. The food can reach boiling water temperatures depending on its composition.  Liquid foods can get to safe levels because they can be shaken and the temperature can be homogeneous. However, solid foods may not be evenly cooked and there may be some small portions of surviving pathogenic cells.”

Are there any foods that should not be microwaved?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “Yes, there are a number of dry foods that may catch fire when microwaved.”

Some additional items that should not be microwaved include dry pastas, fruit, hot peppers and processed meats.

When it comes to using microwaves, food safety is not the only factor that makes people hesitate to use microwaves. Human health and safety is another factor at play.

What happens if I stand too close to the microwave when it is operating?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “Nothing, given the current standards of manufacturers the amount of radiation leaking from a typical household microwave is extremely small and it is negligible to cause any health risk.”

I’ve heard that microwaves emit harmful radiation. Is that true?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “The type of radiation that microwaves emit is harmless as long as the microwave oven is operated according to its design. Manufacturers of household microwaves have built in safety measures to contain the radiation within the instrument.”

In summary, yes, microwaves do emit some level of radiation. But according to the Washington Post, this level of radiation is nothing to worry about.  “To put things in perspective, your laptop, cordless phone and cellphone all leak electromagnetic radiation, too.”

The article goes on to discuss how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets guidelines and regulations to ensure that microwaves are safe to use.

“The Food and Drug Administration has strict limits on the amount that can leak from a microwave oven throughout its lifetime, and it is far below the amount known to harm people. Part of the requirement is that the appliances are built with double ‘interlock’ systems that stop the production of microwaves as soon as the latch is released. … The level of normal exposure also drops dramatically as you move away from the oven — so, to be extra cautious, simply stand away from it while it’s on. Microwaves turn on and off like a light bulb: when they are off, no waves are emitted, and microwave energy cannot linger in the oven or in food.”

An additional question we received from one of our staffers pertained to new moms.

Here’s a concern with moms – is it okay to microwave baby bottles?

Dr. Diez- Gonzalez: “It’s a little different if you are referring to heating the formula in the bottles or to microwave the bottles for disinfection purposes. If the former: first check with the manufacturer that the bottle material is microwave compatible and after heating the formula, make sure to shake well because of the uneven distribution of heat during microwave and the potential for hot spots to scald the baby.”

Overall, microwaves will continue to have a special spot in our kitchens. They are great for producing food in a quick manner and help preserve some nutritious parts to fruits and vegetables.

The post Is Microwave Cooking Safe? appeared first on Best Food Facts.

1. Does tryptophan make you sleepy?

It’s true that turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that your body uses as a building block to produce serotonin, which does help regulate sleep. However, many foods such as chicken and cheese contain tryptophan, according to Texas A&M.

That after-dinner nap is triggered by eating a big meal and your body producing insulin to digest it.

2. Are turkeys raised and processed humanely?

Many turkeys today are raised inside barns, when in the past they lived outdoors. “Turkeys today are healthier, have fewer diseases and are not left outdoors to be killed by foxes or other predators,” says Dr. Charles Hofacre of the University of Georgia.

When it comes to processing turkeys, all poultry facilities in the United States are regulated by the federal government, explains Dr. S.F. Bilgili of Auburn University. “They must be federally inspected and in compliance with all meat and poultry inspection laws. Each plant has a veterinary medical officer who is in charge of a team of trained inspectors who perform a number of important tasks,” he says. “It’s a highly regulated business. You don’t see this type of oversight in many other industries.”

Find out more about whether turkeys are able to walk, why chickens and turkeys grow quickly and other turkey talk.

3. Is corn a vegetable or a grain?

Both! If your Thanksgiving table includes a dish of corn, it is a vegetable. If you’re having cornbread stuffing, it would be considered a grain.

4. When peeling potatoes, there was a little brown spot in some of the potatoes. Should I be worried about that?

No. The spot is due to the environment in which the potato grew and is due to factors such as high heat or a potato virus. The virus isn’t harmful to people.

5. How can you tell if cranberries are ripe?

Drop them on the floor. If they bounce like a ball, they’re ripe because of a pocket of air inside.

6. What does it mean when dinner rolls are whole grain?

Whole grains foods contain all the essential parts of the entire grain seed. That means 100% of the original kernel – all of the bran, germ, and endosperm – is present.

7. Is it okay to have pumpkin pie?

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it! Pumpkin is loaded with nutrients like beta-carotene and fiber, says expert Dr. Julie Garden-Robinson. Spices like cinnamon may also have some benefits. The added sugar, however, is not so good for you.

That piece of pie – and potatoes and stuffing and rolls – will make you sleepy, so don’t blame it all on the tryptophan in the turkey. And remember to follow holiday food safety guidelines especially with leftovers.

Happy Thanksgiving from Best Food Facts!

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