Food Safety For Transplant Recipients
posted by: garylws

Taking immunosuppressant drugs lowers our ability to resist foodborne infections. Wise choices in our food selections are important.

Because of our lower resistance to infection it is important to choose lower risk foods and practice food safety. For instance, most people don't realize that it is unsafe to thaw food at room temperature.

The four basic steps to food safety are:

• Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often. Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, counter tops and food.

• Separate: Don't cross-contaminate. Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria are spread from one food to another.

• Cook: Cook to proper temperatures. Foods are safely cooked when they are heated to USDA-recommended safe minimum internal temperatures.

• Chill: Refrigerate promptly. Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria.

Learn more about:
 •  Major Pathogens That Cause Foodborne Illness
 •  Common Foods: Selecting the Lower Risk Options
 •  Handling and Preparing Food Safely
 •  USDA Safe Cooking Temperatures
 •  USDA Cold Storage Standards
 •  Becoming A Better Shopper
 •  Being Smart When Eating Out
 •  Foodborne Illness Action Plan

Download USDA Food Safety for Transplant Recipients booklet

Make safe food handling a lifelong commitment to minimize your risk of food borne illness.

Source: USDA