Consumer Reports experts remind us about food safety ahead of the holidays

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, one of the most important things to remember this holiday is food safety.

Many of us who cook for Thanksgiving will soon be spending many hours in the kitchen preparing the turkey and all the trimmings.

But what you don’t want to bring to the holiday table is food poisoning! And there’s one thing that many people get wrong that can make your guests seriously ill.

Rinsing the bird is what many of us do with our Thanksgiving turkeys before they go into the oven. But spoiler alert! — According to Consumer Reports and the USDA, rinsing will not make your poultry any safer. In fact, you may do more harm than good.

“Rinsing raw poultry will not remove salmonella or other harmful bacteria that can make you sick; only cooking it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees can do that,” said Consumer Reports health and nutrition editor Trisha Calvo. “Rinsing will help, but it will increase the chance of cross-contamination in your kitchen.”

This is because bacteria can easily spread to your sink, faucet, countertop, etc. This is something home cook Marina Ferro has known for years.

“I don’t like to wash the turkey because I’m so afraid of contamination,” says home cook Marina Ferro. “I don’t like putting it in the sink, I don’t like splashing anything because it’s just everywhere.”

So how do you cook a turkey? First, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.

If you want to remove raw turkey mucus, pat the bird dry with a damp paper towel, discard it, and immediately wash your hands again!

And one more warning: be careful with those spice containers! Research has shown that they can be coated with bacteria, which can easily be transferred to your hands and then to the food you prepare.

To be on the safe side, Consumer Reports recommends pouring seasonings into a separate container ahead of time and throwing out what you don’t use. You can also wipe down the containers after use.

And don’t forget to wash your hands before and after you check an online recipe! Research has shown that your phone may be infested with bacteria that can end up on everything you touch, including food!

Also be mindful of your sponges. They can be breeding grounds for bacteria! Disinfect them in the dishwasher or microwave for one minute. And if they start to smell, that’s a reason to throw them away.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at [email protected].

She carries on her husband’s legacy to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

I am so inspired by Sheila Gunn’s love for her husband and her resilience. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease knows how cruel the disease is—not only to the patient, but to those who love and care for them. Mike and Sheila clearly had a wonderful love story, and now she honors it in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing his story.

-Carrie Sharp