Grassroots Science

“Government says 165 degrees will kill bird flu, other viruses “
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/

The department also strongly recommends that people use food thermometers and follow basic rules for kitchen safety: wash hands often, keep raw poultry and meat separate from cooked food and refrigerate or freeze food right away.

The primary target of the recommendation is not bird flu but salmonella, a bacteria that causes food poisoning and can be deadly unless infected people are treated promptly with antibiotics. Salmonella kills about 400 people each year in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Single Minimum Internal Temperature Established For Cooked Poultry

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2006 - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today advised consumers that cooking raw poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F will eliminate pathogens and viruses.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_040506_01/index.asp

Fact Sheets for bird preparation and cooking are avaiable here- http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Poultry_Preparation_Fact_Sheets/index.asp

More information about safe food preparation is available by calling the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).

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