Food Thermometers for Food Safety

The province's food safety experts remind Nova Scotians that checking colour and texture alone is no way to be sure your holiday turkey is safe to eat. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is encouraging everyone to buy a food thermometer, learn to use it properly and use it year round.

The department's food safety staff are the province's experts on food safety issues and have brought these topics to the public for years.

"We are fairly confident that most people know about the fundamentals of food safety like appropriate food handling, cleaning surface areas and avoiding food cross contamination," said Gary Moulton, food safety educator.

Mr. Moulton said he wants to take public knowledge to the next step which is proper cooking practices.

"The number one message in proper cooking is to use a thermometer," he said.

Cooking a turkey to a safe temperature will ensure the destruction of bacteria that could cause a food borne illness. Using a food thermometer to check the turkey's internal temperature is the only way to ensure it reaches 82 degrees Celsius, which means it is completely cooked and safe to eat.

Food thermometers are available at most grocery stores, hardware stores, kitchen boutiques, department stores and restaurant equipment suppliers. They can range in price from $5 to $250.

"There are a variety of thermometers people can buy, and some are better than others," said Mr. Moulton. "I suppose my advice would be that it is better to have one, than not, and I encourage people to use it year-round."

For more about cooking safety and food thermometers visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf .

NOTE: For a copy of a fact sheet on food thermometers please e-mail [email protected] .

The department's Food Safety staff can offer information in the areas of food safety and food borne illness. This expertise may be helpful when writing food-related articles during the holiday season or throughout the year. For more information about food safety, types of food thermometers and how to use them, visit the department's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf , or call 902-424- 8004.