On May 27th, the USDA issued an annual reminder to follow safe food preparation practices during the Memorial Day weekend and through summer. The Agency also recommended compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance with respect to Covid.
Sandra Eskin, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, stated “Memorial Day marks the beginning of warmer weather and summer fun.” She added, “people cook and eat outside, making shortcuts to food safety tempting because they are away from the convenience of soap and running water at the kitchen sink.”
USDA again stressed the need to adequately cook poultry to attain a temperature of 165 F for at least 30 seconds; beef, pork, lamb, and veal to 145 F; to cook egg dishes to 160 F; and fish to 145 F. The CDC and USDA emphasize the need to use a probe thermometer to ensure that food is adequately cooked so as to destroy any pathogenic bacteria that may be present.