Each year, as many as one in six Americans gets sick from food poisoning. Food Safety Month is the perfect time to review general food safety tips so that you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. Here are 4 food safety tips for you to consider: Wash hands and food preparation surfaces thoroughly It is easy for bacteria to spread around the kitchen and onto other food, increasing the risk of food poisoning. Before you prepare food, wash your hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds. After you"ve finished cooking, wash all food preparation surfaces, dishes, cutting boards, and cooking utensils in hot water. Wash produce before consuming it. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other food products Cross-contamination takes place when harmful bacteria get transferred from one food to another food or cooking surface. When you go grocery shopping, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs apart from prepared foods, such as bread and juice, both in the shopping cart and during the bagging process. You should also keep these foods separated from other foods in the refrigerator to minimize the risk of juices dripping onto other foods and spreading bacteria. Consider using separate cutting boards and prep surfaces for poultry and raw meats versus other foods to avoid cross contamination. Refrigerate foods quickly and at the proper temperature Your refrigerator should be set at or below 40 degrees F and your freezer at or below 0 degrees F. Proper refrigeration temperatures delay bacteria growth-- reducing the risk of food poisoning. Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, or if the temperature is over 90 degrees F, within one hour. Thaw and marinate foods in the refrigerator or in a leak-proof plastic bag submerged in cold tap water. Cook foods at the proper temperature Cooking foods to a minimum safe temperature wipes out food poison inducing bacteria. A food thermometer is the only reliable method for ensuring that food reaches its proper temperature. Raw ground beef, pork, veal, and lamb should be cooked to 160 degrees F and raw poultry to 165 degrees F. If you aren"t sure what temperature is optimal for a certain food, consult a trusted source.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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