County Urges Safe Holiday Food Handling to Prevent Illness

Humboldt County officials on November 24 reminded the community to take simple steps to keep holiday meals safe after the California Department of Public Health warned that bacteria including Clostridium perfringens can grow in cooked foods left at room temperature. The Division of Environmental Health issued the reminder ahead of end of year gatherings, noting that many outbreaks have been linked to foods commonly served during the holidays, such as turkey and roast beef.

DEH Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Benjamin Dolf said, “Practicing proper food handling can help prevent easily avoidable illnesses.” The county and state recommended following four basic practices to reduce the chance of foodborne illness. Clean means washing hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and washing surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot, soapy water. Separate means avoiding cross contamination by keeping raw and cooked foods apart and thawing frozen turkeys in the refrigerator, under cool running water changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave if appropriate.

Cook means using a food thermometer and ensuring turkey and other meats reach safe internal temperatures, with turkey reaching at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest part including stuffing if cooked inside the bird, and keeping oven temperatures at no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Chill means refrigerating perishable foods within two hours of cooking and not eating leftovers that have been refrigerated longer than three to four days.

The advisory carries local public health implications because outbreaks increase demand on clinics and hospital services and disproportionately affect residents with chronic conditions and older adults. Community equity concerns are also relevant, as households without reliable refrigeration or access to proper cooking equipment face greater barriers to following safe food handling advice. Public health advocates say outreach, distribution of basic supplies such as thermometers, and clear guidance in multiple languages can help reduce those disparities.

For more information county officials pointed callers to federal food safety hotlines and to foodsafety.gov. The reminder aims to reduce preventable illness while holiday gatherings continue across Humboldt County.