Most people know not to eat food that’s been sitting out all day in a hot environment, but how does that apply to large feasts where food has already been out for an hour of preparation, through the meal, and throughout the day as we go back for seconds and thirds?  We all want to sit back, relax, talk with friends and family or just enjoy what’s on TV after the meal but it’s important to remember that food, wherever we leave it, becomes a breeding ground for mold and bacteria almost immediately.  So this Thanksgiving, take a few preventative steps to make sure that that you’re not one of the many Americans who suffer from food poisoning this year.

Food Safety

Clean off your counters.  While there’s no reason to pour pure bleach across the counter-tops (a teaspoon of unscented bleach with a quart of water is all you need), make sure that countertops, utensils, and any surface that will house food for even a short while are cleaned and ready in advance.  Be sure to repeat the cleaning process afterward.  Most countertops are mold resistant but leaving food or liquids spilled onto countertops or in the sink will lead to mold and bacterial growth that will release extra spores into the air (not to mention the smell).

Wash all fruits and vegetables.  Peel or no, you should wash everything before use.  Fruits and veggies can pick up bacteria on the rind or peel which transfers to the knives and surfaces you use.  Basically, the inside is safe until you cut into it if you haven’t washed the surface first.

Finally, when it comes to food, don’t leave it sitting out.  A few minutes to let food cool before eating is fine but you should seal and store everything as soon as the meal is ended.  Most food poisoning comes from food that has sat out too long and was then deemed ‘safe’ simply because it didn’t look or smell funny.  Most of the bacteria and contaminants that cause severe food poisoning leave no discernible symptoms early on.  If the meat has been sitting out for 2 hours or more, don’t risk it.  Even re-cooking the food isn’t safe enough because that only kills the bacteria, not the toxins left behind by living or dead bacteria.

Take a minute to read through this list of common food safety myths, compiled by foodsafety.gov before you start.

Cleaning Up

Cleaning up after an event is just as important as taking care beforehand, especially if you have small kids.  We’re quick to clean up floor spills and wipe down tables and countertops, but for many of us, lazing about after a full Thanksgiving Day feast is a must.  We recommend a little bit of work first, or at least before you go to bed tonight.

Any carpet spills should be treated right away. Liquids are especially dangerous as they can soak into the matting beneath a carpet even if they don’t stain the carpet itself.

Clothing should be cleaned or rinsed if food was spilled on it. As we mentioned in our laundry blog, take the time to rinse food or spilled drinks from clothing if you aren’t planning on washing them the same day.

Clean up dishes after the meal. Leaving food and liquids sitting in dishes is a fast way to fill your home with bugs and mold in a short order.  We know you want to relax with family but maybe you should clean up as a family first.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Don’t forget to follow RestoPros on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ for new Updates, News, and Discounts