Four Simple Steps to Prevent Food-Borne Illness - KiiiTV3.com South Texas, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend

This Fourth of July, declare independence from food-borne illness.

Our warm temperatures, coupled with crowds and outdoor eating, can spell disaster for some, but four simple steps can help families steer clear of food-borne illnesses.

Step One: Clean

That means clean surfaces, and clean hands.

Step Two: Separate

Raw meats and poultry should be prepared separately from vegetables and cooked foods.

Step Three: Cook

Never begin cooking without your most important tool, a food thermometer, as color is not a reliable indicator of doneness.

Step Four: Chill

Perishable food should never sit in the summer heat for more than one hour.