As a food safety expert with extensive experience in the field, I can provide a comprehensive guide on safe food handling practices. Ensuring food safety is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses, which can be caused by harmful bacteria that are often invisible, odorless, and tasteless.

Step 1: Clean
The first step in safe food handling is to maintain cleanliness. This involves washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially before, during, and after food preparation. It's also important to clean surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw food, such as meat, poultry, and seafood, to prevent cross-contamination.

Step 2: Separate
Separating different types of food is key to avoiding cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats, poultry, and seafood, and for fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods. This prevents harmful bacteria from spreading to other foods.

Step 3: Cook
Proper cooking is essential to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to ensure that meats, poultry, and seafood reach a safe internal temperature. For example, poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and steaks to 145°F (63°C) followed by a three-minute rest time.

Step 4: Chill
Proper refrigeration or freezing slows the growth of harmful bacteria. Refrigerate perishable food within two hours of cooking or purchasing. The refrigerator should be kept at or below 40°F (4°C), and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below.

Additional Tips:
- Cross-Contamination: Avoid using the same utensils, cutting boards, or plates for raw and cooked foods without cleaning them thoroughly in between.
- Purchasing Safely: Check the use-by dates on food packaging and ensure that the food is not damaged or leaking.
- Storage: Store food in airtight containers to protect it from contamination and to keep it fresh longer.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave, never at room temperature.
- Leftovers: Reheat leftovers to a high enough temperature to kill any bacteria that may have grown during storage.

By following these steps and additional tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illness and ensure that the food you prepare and consume is safe.

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Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illness. You can't see, smell, or taste harmful bacteria that may cause illness. In every step of food preparation, follow the four steps of the Food Safe Families campaign to keep food safe: Clean -- Wash hands and surfaces often.Mar 24, 2015read more >>