FOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR FRESH SAUSAGE
To ensure proper handling, storage and preparation of fresh
sausage, follow these tips from the American Dietetic
Association:
Buying
- Always look for the "safe food handling" label on packages
- The label indicates that the sausage has been processed safely and will give you tips for proper food-handling and cooking
- Make sure the sausage is tightly wrapped
- Select sausage and other meats after shopping for non-perishables and ask to have them bagged separately from other groceries
Storing
- Always handle sausage with clean, dry hands
- Store sausage in the coldest part of the refrigerator or in the refrigerator’s meat bin
- Use fresh sausage stored in the refrigerator within 2 days of purchase
- Freeze sausage in freezer-safe wrap at or below 0° F
- Eat or freeze cooked sausage within 3 to 4 days
Preparing
- Wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before, during and after handling raw meat
- Use two separate cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination, one for raw foods and the other for ready-to-eat foods
- Defrost sausage in the refrigerator or in the microwave---never on the counter---by using the defrost setting
- Immediately cook meat after it has been thawed in the microwave
- Do not re-freeze thawed meat
- Use a meat thermometer to cook to proper temperature
- Cooked sausage should not be left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours
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