National Nurses Week 2024

Holiday Cooking

Tips to make sure your cooked food is safe

• After cooking, keep hot food at 60°C (140°F) or hotter until it’s served.

• Serve hot food while hot, or put it in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible once cooled (within two hours of preparation).

• Never leave food out for more than two hours.

• Use clean dishes and utensils to serve food. Never use the same ones you used when preparing raw food.

• Never leave perishable food outside the refrigerator for more than two hours.

• Pack lunches in insulated carriers with a cold pack. Warn children never to leave lunches in direct sun or on a warm radiator.

• Keep cold party food on ice or serve it on platters from the refrigerator.

• Divide hot party food into smaller serving platters. Keep platters refrigerated until it's time to warm them up for serving.

 

Microwave safety

Microwaves are great time-savers but they can sometimes leaves cold spots in food where bacteria may survive.

Tips for safe microwaving

• Cover food with a lid or plastic wrap that is approved for microwaving. The steam will help food cook thoroughly. Leave a small section uncovered so steam can escape, and do not let the wrap touch the food.

• Stir and rotate food for even cooking. If there is no turntable in the oven, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking.

• Observe the "standing" time called for in recipe or package directions. Food finishes cooking during the standing time.

• Use a meat thermometer to check that your food is ready. Insert it at several spots.

This information is care of The Ontario Ministry of Health & Long Term Care 

How Nursing & Homemakers Inc. Can Help

We are a Nursing Agency providing Nurses and Caregivers servicing Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area in over 70 languages.

Please visit our website at www.nhihealthcare.com or call us at 416-754-0700 or toll free at 1-800-567-6877 and speak to one of our Healthcare Coordinators.  You may also email any staffing request at staffing@nhihealthcare.com. Nursing & Homemakers Inc. is Accredited by Accreditation Canada.