Food safety (from Jill)

With all the news about the salmonella outbreak, it is important to go back to some "basics" about food safety that we all may take for granted...
1) Fewer than half of americans know that the recommended temperature for your refrigerator should be below 40 degrees F and a large majority of americans don't know what their refrigerator temperature is currently set at - check your's our today. You'll find htat most refrigeratos exceed the safe recommendations for temperatire. Keeping your temperature too high can lead to bacterial growth and food-bourne illnesses from that bacteria.
2) Besides temperature, most people store foods in methods that can lead to cross-contamination of bacteria and other harmful pathogens (i.e. uncovered spoiled foods next to otherwise fresh foods) and many people don't know how long some foods may have been in there leading to products being used past their expiration dates.
3) Few people thoroughly clean their refirgerators on a regular basis and the area most likely to harbor bacteria is the produc bin. Also, make sure your door seal is tight and don't over-stuff your fridge.
Taking care to follow these steps will help ensure that your family stays safe from food-bourne illnesses even when their isn't a nation-wide outbreak!