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Food Safety Tips for Your Holiday Turkey
Handling poultry (chickens and turkey) incorrectly and undercooking it are the most common problems that lead to foodborne disease outbreaks linked to poultry. Follow these tips to help you safely prepare your next holiday turkey meal.
Thaw Your Turkey Safely
Thaw turkeys: - in the refrigerator in a container;
- in a leak-proof plastic bag in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes); or
- in the microwave, following the microwave oven manufacturer's instructions.
Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter. A thawing turkey must defrost at a safe temperature. When the turkey is left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, its temperature becomes unsafe. Bacteria can grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.Handle Your Turkey the Right WayRaw poultry can contaminate anything it touches with harmful bacteria. Follow the four steps to food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill—to prevent the spread of bacteria to your food, family, and friends.- Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling turkey.
- Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey.
- Never place cooked food or fresh produce on a plate, cutting board, or other surface that previously held raw turkey.
- Wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing turkey and before you prepare the next item.
Do not wash or rinse raw turkey. Federal food safety advice has recommended against washing turkey or chicken since 2005, but some habits are hard to break. A 2020 survey* found that 78% of participants reported washing or rinsing turkey before cooking. Old recipes and family cooking traditions may keep this practice going, but it can make you and your family sick. Poultry juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops.Cook Stuffing ThoroughlyCooking stuffing separately from the turkey in a casserole dish makes it easy to be sure it is thoroughly cooked. If you cook stuffing in the turkey, put the stuffing in the turkey just before cooking.
With either cooking method, use a food thermometer to make sure the stuffing’s center reaches 165°F. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165°F and may then cause food poisoning. If you cook stuffing in the turkey, wait 20 minutes after taking the bird out of the oven before removing the stuffing; this allows it to cook a little more. Learn more about how to prepare stuffing safely. |
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 Use a food thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature.
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Cook Your Turkey Thoroughly
Set the oven temperature to at least 325°F. Place the completely thawed turkey in a roasting pan that is 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep. Cooking times will vary depending on the weight of the turkey. Use a food thermometer to make sure the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Check by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the stuffing and the thickest portions of the breast, thigh, and wing joint. Even if your turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator, you should still use a food thermometer to check that it is safely cooked.
Let the turkey stand 20 minutes before removing all stuffing from the cavity and carving the meat. Learn more about safe minimum cooking temperatures and how to use a food thermometer for turkey and other foods.
Take Care of Leftovers
The bacteria Clostridium perfringens grows in cooked foods left at room temperature. It is the second most common bacterial cause of food poisoning. The major symptoms are vomiting and abdominal cramps within 6 to 24 hours after eating.- Clostridium perfringens outbreaks occur most often in November and December.
- Many of these outbreaks have been linked to foods commonly served during the holidays, such as turkey and roast beef.
Refrigerate leftovers at 40°F or colder as soon as possible and within 2 hours of preparation to prevent food poisoning. Slice or divide big cuts of meat, such as a roast turkey, into small quantities for refrigeration so they can cool quickly. Reheat all leftovers to at least 165°F before serving.
Related Links |
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This Thanksgiving Stay Safe While Doing Indoor and Outdoor Activities with OthersREAD MORE about how to lower the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 this Thanksgiving.
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Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. The changes that can happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic can affect anyone. Coping with stress in healthy ways during the COVID-19 pandemic will make you, your loved ones, and your community stronger.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media.
- Take breaks to unwind through yoga, music, gardening, or new hobbies. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Take Care of Your Body- Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
- Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While physical distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While physical distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.Avoid Increased Alcohol and Substance Use
You may experience increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Increased stress can lead to increases in alcohol and substance use. If you or someone you care about is starting to use alcohol or other substances, or is increasing their use during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few suggestions that may help:- Call the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service (1-800-662-HELP) to speak with someone about an alcohol or substance use problem.
- Contact your healthcare provider.
- Take medicine as prescribed and continue your therapy, treatment, or support appointments (in person or through telehealth services) when possible.
- Get immediate help in a crisis.
- Medication-assisted-treatment for alcohol or opioid use disorders may be an option.
Additional Resources and Support Services
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Flu Season is Here
Why get the flu vaccine? It protects you from the flu – and its worst symptoms. It is safe to get your flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 booster or primary series. Go to flu.nc.gov to find out where you can get your flu vaccination.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection with the flu. This year, it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccination, considering the continued presence of the COVID-19 viral global pandemic that has already claimed more than 205,000 American lives. Widespread flu and COVID-19 at the same time could overwhelm our health care system, making it hard for people to get medical care they may need. Millions of Americans get the flu each year. It is estimated that at least 39 million people became sick due to flu-related illness during the 2019-20 flu season, leading to more than 18 million medical visits, 410,000 hospitalizations, and at least 24,000 deaths. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu-related illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths.
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There Are Many Reasons to Quit Tobacco
Quitting tobacco is the NUMBER ONE thing you can do to improve your health and LIVE LONGER. Your loved ones want you to be alive and healthy! After quitting you will be less likely to have breathing problems, heart disease and many forms of cancer. To sign up for FREE one-on-one counseling, as well as patches, gum, and lozenges, call 919-245-2480 or email Rita Krosner smokefreeoc@orangecountync.gov. Learn more: https://www.orangecountync.gov/461/Smoking-Cessation
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Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program Provides Relief for Homeowners Impacted by Property Revaluation
Orange County's new Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program (LHAP) provides property tax bill assistance to assist households affected by the 2021 countywide property revaluation.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated the LHAP on June 15, 2021, by allocating $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to. To qualify, homeowners must:
- Live in Orange County;
- Have lived in their home for at least 10 years;
- Have experienced an increase in property taxes due to the 2021 tax revaluation; and
- Earn no more than 80% of the area median income (see income chart below).
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2021. Applications are available on-line or via paper.
Online Application Portal: orangecountynchousing.submittable.com/submit
Paper Applications: Pick up a paper application at the Orange County Housing and Community Development Department offices:- Hillsborough Office: 300 West Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, Hillsborough, NC 27278
- Chapel Hill Office: 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Completed paper applications can be dropped in the drop boxes outside of the Housing and Community Development offices or mailed to:
Orange County Housing and Community Development
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Housing Helpline staff can help people complete and submit applications and to give information on the supporting documentation needed. Call 919-245-2655 or email HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov.
For more information about the LHA Program, visit the webpage https://www.orangecountync.gov/2813/Longtime-Homeowner-Assistance-Program. |
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The free COVID-19 testing clinics hosted by OCHD are conducted by two different vendors, StarMed Healthcare in Hillsborough and Optum in Chapel Hill. Please register with the appropriate vendor depending on which location you would like to attend. |
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Free COVID-19 Vaccine ClinicsVaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, please bring your vaccination card with the record of your first dose. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot, or call (919) 913-8088 with any questions.
The Hillsborough walk-in clinic at Bonnie B. Davis now serves ages 5 and up for their COVID-19 vaccine primary series and boosters. WALK-INS WELCOME IN HILLSBOROUGH!
The Chapel Hill clinic, however, is by appointment only. Ages 5 and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit www.myspotnc.gov to make an appointment.
Regular Vaccine Clinics
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W, Hillsborough, NC
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00am - 4:30pm
Please call (877) 505-6723 to schedule an appointment.
***Ages 5 and up only.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Please call (919) 913-8088 to schedule an appointment.
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.
Pop-Up Walk-In Vaccine Clinics
In addition to our regularly scheduled walk-in clinics (see graphic above), the Orange County Health Department is pleased to offer pop-up vaccine clinics to all community members ages 12 and older. No registration required, these are walk-in clinics.
Smith Middle School Gym
9201 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Monday, November 22nd, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Flyers: English/ Español
J&J, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available
Farmer's Market Pavilion in Hillsborough (next to the Courthouse)
140 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
Wednesday, December 1 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Flyers: English, Español
J&J and Pfizer vaccines available
Farmer's Market Pavilion in Hillsborough (next to the Courthouse)
140 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
Wednesday, December 8 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Flyers: English, Español
J&J and Pfizer vaccines available
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 1,510,086 COVID-19 cases, 18,514 deaths, and 1,049 hospitalizations. 56% of North Carolina's population is fully vaccinated.
There are currently 12,084 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 110 deaths in Orange County. 71% of Orange County residents are fully vaccinated.
For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county.
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