When it comes to Convenience Foods, Cook It Safe
Many Americans’ freezers are stocked with fast, tasty convenience foods. While the shortest distance between the freezer and the table may be the microwave oven, not all convenience foods can be cooked in the microwave.
Challenge yourself to Cook It Safe!
Prevent foodborne illness due to under-cooking frozen or other convenience foods with these four simple tips:
- Read and Follow Package Cooking Instructions.
- Know When to Use a Microwave or Conventional Oven.
- Know Your Microwave Wattage Before Microwaving Food.
- Always Use a Food Thermometer to Ensure a Safe Internal Temperature.
MICROWAVE DEFROSTING
Remove food from packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays and plastic wraps because they are not heat stable at high temperatures. Melting or warping may cause harmful chemicals to migrate into food.
Cook meat, poultry, egg casseroles, and fish immediately after defrosting in the microwave oven because some areas of the frozen food may begin to cook during the defrosting time. Do not hold partially cooked food to use later.