Safe steps in food handling, cooking and storage are essential in preventing foodborne illness. You can't see, smell or taste harmful bacteria that may cause illness. In every step of food preparation, follow the four guidelines to keep food safe:

• Clean — Wash hands and surfaces often.
• Separate — Separate raw meat from other foods.
• Cook — Cook to the right temperature.
• Chill — Refrigerate food promptly.

Cook all food to these minimum internal temperatures, as measured with a food thermometer, before removing food from the heat source. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook food to higher temperatures.