Apparently I have been living under a rock because I just found out that there’s turkey salmonella outbreak has been going on for about a year. That being said, I imagine I am not the only one who just learned about this. Am I?
In case you’ve been living under the same rock as me, or if you were just worried about getting your family sick with your Thanksgiving deliciousness, here are a few tips to keep your turkey from sending everyone to the hospital this holiday.
Health officials say proper handling and cooking should kill any salmonella. A few points to remember:
- It seems counterintuitive, but don't rinse raw turkey -- that can spread any germs.
- Clean hands and cooking surfaces that come into contact with raw turkey.
- Cook birds to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
Hormel's Richard Carlson stressed salmonella in turkey is not unusual and that proper handling and cooking should get rid of it. Regulators however recommend throwing it out.