What steps can I take to make sure that I prepare my food properly during the flu season?

Practice safe food handling and preparation techniques for all meat and poultry. Eating properly handled and cooked meat and poultry products are safe. Information about safe food preparation and cooking is available at www.befoodsafe.gov.

For information and alerts on the safety of food, see FoodSafety.gov.

For information on clean-up following food preparation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a list of sterilizers and antimicrobial products that are registered with the EPA:

"Antimicrobial Products Registered for Use Against Influenza A Virus on Hard Surfaces" http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-a-product-list.pdf

Influenza virus, or the flu virus, is also destroyed by exposure to heat of 167 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (75 to 100 degrees Centigrade).

Last Reviewed: 12/14/2010

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• Food & Water
  • Food Safety & Supply
    • Keep Food Safe