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Nutrition.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Safe Food Preparation

Prevent contamination when preparing and serving meals by following these guidelines for cooking temperatures, food handling, and cleaning.

  • Poultry Preparation

    Find out how to safely prepare all types of poultry, including game poultry. Offers a special section on turkey.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety

    Prepare and serve food safely for large groups such as family reunions, church dinners, and community gatherings.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Cooking with Microwave Ovens

    Learn how to safely use a microwave for cooking tasks, like reheating or defrosting.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Food Product Dating

    Learn what the "sell by" date means for food safety.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Food Safety Brochures & Publications

    View printable materials about food safety, including guides, activity books, and tip sheets.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Grilling and Food Safety

    Find important information on grilling, including food safety concerns and health concerns.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Leftovers and Food Safety

    Safe handling of leftovers is very important to reducing foodborne illness. Follow these recommendations for handling leftovers safely.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Meat Preparation

    Find out how to safely prepare all types of meats, including beef, bison, pork, veal, lamb, goat, rabbit, and more.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Safe Food Handling and Preparation

    Learn how to handle, cook, and store food safely to prevent foodborne illness. 

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline

    Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline on weekdays to receive answers to your personal food safety questions.

    • USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service

  • Food Safety for Buffets and Parties

    Follow these tips to keep your guests from getting sick with food poisoning.

    • HHS, Foodsafety.gov

  • Fruit and Vegetable Safety

    ​​​​​​Choose and prepare fruits and vegetables safely so you can enjoy their nutrition benefits while removing germs.

    • HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Say No to Raw Dough

    ​​​​​​Raw dough can contain harmful germs that are only killed by cooking. Use these tips to stay safe when baking or cooking with flour.

    • HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Buy, Store & Serve Safe Food: Food Facts for Consumers

    A listing of consumer information by topic. Topics include food allergies, food safety concerns, and what you need to know about dietary supplements.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration

  • Food Safety at Home

    Learn food safety techniques such as purchasing safe food, practicing safe handling while in the kitchen, and properly storing food and leftovers. Also available in PDF.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration

  • Food Safety in Your Kitchen

    Whether you are a home cook, a professional chef, or a recipe writer, there are some easy steps you can take to help keep your food safe all the way from the grocery store to the kitchen table.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

  • Selecting and Serving Produce Safely

    As you enjoy fresh produce, follow these safe handling tips to help protect yourself and your family.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

  • What You Need to Know About Egg Safety

    Learn how to select, cook, and store eggs to avoid contamination and complications with foodborne illness.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

  • Check Your Steps

    Reduce the risk of food poisoning with these tips.

    • HHS, Foodsafety.gov

  • Report a Problem with Food

    If you suspect that a food is contaminated or has made you or someone that you know sick, follow these guidelines to report it.

    • HHS, Foodsafety.gov

  • Handwashing (Video)

    Learn five simple steps to wash your hands properly before preparing food.

    • Colorado State University Extension

  • Washing Fruits and Vegetables (Video)

    Discover how to properly wash fresh produce before peeling, cutting, or cooking.

    • Colorado State University Extension

  • Warm Up with a Safely Slow-Cooked Meal

    Safely prepare slow-cooked food by following these food safety steps. 

    • Foodsafety.gov