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The Spruce Eats
Food Safety & Sanitation
Learn more about food health and safety from our expert guidelines to avoid illness and injury.
The Recipe Finder
What Would You Like to Cook?
![Roast Chicken for Beginners](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/MRw7RQ5y2JQzzHTGW734TcEQQ8c=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Dynamitechicken1-e6e67c56299f4ab0b0826169b9ef8989.jpeg)
How to Roast Chicken: A Beginner's Guide
![Fry haddock](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/SoVrACLeEf9W-e_Z2JFZuRa2k_Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/panko-crusted-oven-fried-haddock-3057297-step-04-d9da14c0a78849fd9824748c9fda8c6d.jpg)
How to Defrost Fish Quickly and Safely
![broccoli, radishes, carrots, beets, and yams cut on cutting board with a knife](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/bPkJfpa_rWSKxVqTb6fXYTpUkyM=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-make-roasted-vegetables-4063968-step-01-4794d212e4ff4622be8724fb8b40c1ea.jpg)
Tiny New Habits for the New Year and Beyond
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How to Clean Copper Cookware
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Low-Stress Spring Cleaning Tips for a Post-Pandemic Life
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How Long Does Canned Food Really Last?
![Potato and chicken casserole in baking dish](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/B8hjYATRvqqC2FV7H5cRRe3pw7Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/corner-of-potato-and-chicken-casserole-in-baking-dish-738775971-5a70c006875db90037527897.jpg)
Glass Bakeware Safety Tips You Need to Know
The Ultimate Guide to Freezer-Burned Food Safety
![Serve ham](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/_hoDw7Ray7D8YkwfaE6gVJRvxvI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/baked-ham-spiced-apples-pears-recipe-1375467-step-08-8c635413f9d544b19e628ecf43367eb9.jpg)
Can You Safely Refreeze Ham?
![Taco-Rubbed Flank Steak cooked to medium](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Y7lLxbfGz1gMu5ZrvZ13goj8tmc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/taco-rubbed-flank-steak-recipe-1805956-Hero-01_edit-2-141548be1eed407e9a51f4d1f616dd80.jpg)
Meat Temperature Chart and Food Safety Tips
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Do You Really Need to Refrigerate Butter?
![Raw chicken in roasting pan](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/8JpTn9lvjHf3cXpm2AMvCpQHW3E=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txpdeac2623GsD100_Medium_654988-5818ffe13df78cc2e8e83b67.jpg)
How To Defrost Chicken Fast
![Moist sausage dressing](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/u0risa-3A9feHGsPstlyD30xsAw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/moist-sausage-dressing-3061415-9-5b3f6d59c9e77c003788e7e6.jpg)
Cooking Stuffing
![Home-Canned Goods](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/JIVZqbvpp4LWldl4NqZMf8tNPvQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/plant-fruit-home-ripe-dish-food-1027435-pxhere.com-5c7207c8c9e77c000151ba81.jpg)
Important Steps to Remove the Risk of Botulism From Canning
![Woman sitting on bed holding stomach, head bowed](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/_Pawy7ZUpzYTS2D3EG6LDDSyN5A=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/200214484-001-56a20f113df78cf772717f7f.jpg)
Signs You Might Have Food Poisoning
![Refrigerator Interior](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/yN3cXiouHKpnl1dN6ayATqHHpfg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-123527027-1--58a4adc45f9b58819cf40844.jpg)
14 Surprising Foods You Don't Need to Refrigerate
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How to Prevent Your Food From Spoiling
![Sprouted potatoes on wooden table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/qInjpX-7RD5fouColBGdq6_Ebtw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sprouted-potatoes-on-wooden-table-138537986-575f02513df78c98dc1eb2cc.jpg)
Sprouted Potatoes and Food Safety
![Meat thermometer testing meat](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/FlJNTCVyxnw1bLFH2akhaHFsEVQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-96615500-20a245af75ef4ad79c864ce55bb79f69.jpg)
USDA-Recommended Minimum Internal Cooking Temperatures
![Chestnut stuffing](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/G20c9_ksOfF4dDJ2ILv22BQROnA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chestnut-stuffing-482788-step-11-1d054b524a3c4268a8157312be2acd27.jpg)
Make Your Turkey Safe to Eat
![what are chia seeds](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/7ZJ23sNgU0qzFMKJK_RKysCSkKA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chia-seeds-landscape_annotated-a60e7b6099a840da902a9f0982331296.jpg)
What Are Chia Seeds?
![Pumpkin butter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/_ujEVrPWdhWCO-NabWITD4UT2ZI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-613036246-f90c91b3c87f4265b527662811f2065f.jpg)
Why Pumpkin Butter Can't Be Canned at Home Safely
![green beans in a pot of water](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/IzUxUNl_wFaIInFq-1XCpss2E9c=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-green-bean-saute-recipe-2394856-step-04-cropped-429c941051354d1aae98dc52a4ba1584.jpg)
How to Blanch Vegetables Before Freezing
![Uncooked hamburger patty](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/hY08srhubUqMtXCsxmjZbWPap50=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-Photosiber-466853332-b1f72f15af87427881f4c5e12cfba183.jpg)
Can You Safely Refreeze Hamburger?
![Cherry tomatoes in a colander under running water](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/PSfIaWyQD94DiE3seCHqS_Bg4_Q=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cherry-tomatoes-in-a-colander-under-running-water-730144347-5be5d8ea46e0fb00260d0461.jpg)
Homemade Fruit and Vegetable Wash
![pork chop marinade](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/OiqGb4Q4Qa70pKTxJJyAAdYOw2A=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pork-chop-marinade-5af104c504d1cf00370ddd8b.jpg)
How to Safely Refreeze Pork
![Ground beef patties](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/xClSLay-lCU1GcRWLMj3ra_JRJo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/is-your-ground-beef-spoiled-4049538-b35bf69186524bb2aababa1299db67e6.jpg)
The Three Ways to Know If Your Ground Beef Has Gone Bad
![Close up of Oven Bag Turkey](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/EYZZQK1NnUd5Ja74GfkKRr130G8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oven-bag-turkey-recipe-2098986-Hero-5bab9c03c9e77c002cc29a1c.jpg)
Safely Refreeze a Turkey
![Man using nonstick pan](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/wV3A_bP-UT-Tu7XkVCgNgOD8MA4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/102286182-56a5c4215f9b58b7d0de6596.jpg)
Is Nonstick Cookware Safe?
![Testing eggs freshness in water](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/hsrAoOKWy8xPiGT-IzqVUS9lsrI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Egg-test-GettyImages-81988330-58c1c0ab5f9b58af5c309247.jpg)
Testing Eggs for Freshness
![Refreeze bacon recipe](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/JW48Isx8aODr2JW8emmHs8spE7s=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/can-you-refreeze-bacon-1388403-hero-01-794fc19e1024432d90e56ab61230e6cc.jpg)
Can You Refreeze Bacon Safely?
![buger internal temperature guide with burgers on grill and one large stack of patties cooked to: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/TpxfjNNpz_6kbM7dk-sZTb1CdHA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/safe-internal-temperature-for-burgers-3056799_Final-5c6f1dc2c9e77c00010d6b92.png)
Guide To Internal Temperature for Burgers
![Preserved foods](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/1hZYO9Zh-DVNfQzFmEa6zQSJsGY=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/preserved-foods-jars-2500-56809beb3df78ccc15a649ed.jpg)
What's Fat Tom? The Trick That'll Help Keep Food in the Safe Zone
![Frozen Fish in Ice](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/texzSoCZ376zGzytfL1qj_FcGnc=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-108196441-5c00153246e0fb00516d4df3.jpg)
Can You Refreeze Fish Safely?
![Preserved Foods](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Rpsem4PVix3tEtkqUGUyeYqTH2o=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Preserved-Food-576a266c5f9b58346abab4e6.jpg)
10 Simple Steps to Becoming a Home Canning Expert
![Ground beef](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/pdjbO7b1Q-Y32M5pd2kgwaJp3k8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AA047693-56a497e03df78cf7728326e4.jpg)
Ground Beef Color and Safety
![Peppers, carrots and green beans preserved in jars](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Qka9JujsymZFGh0yXjwJMjcSCVI=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-143225018-5755c6eb3df78c9b469092de.jpg)
Canning 101: Can You Reuse Grocery Store Jars?
![Woman doing BBQ Steaks on a flame grill.](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/DL_uL9GfJT1sk7yjA5pl8WM0DLg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SES-how-to-tell-meat-is-done-1328655-286b6f5bf8c24c32acc31e8c2355da38.jpg)
How to Make Sure Meat Is Done
![Colorful plastic reusable containers on counter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/EuZ6NWunlhdSC0v_Ams1PGoDjIg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-636727220-5c8c177146e0fb000155583e.jpg)
How to Tell If Plastic Is BPA-Free
![Chestnuts in a pot](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/zSXCE7KQA5RLcSEbRJnYxBZ2yJo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chestnuts-in-pot-597974520-5812466b5f9b58564cb72410.jpg)
Eating Raw Chestnuts
![Vinegar in bottles on the table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/r_eUgcObZ1npAr8h_ad1fSfijN0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/176562631-56a30e073df78cf7727b9eca.jpg)
Using Homemade Vinegar in Pickling
![Marinade Safety](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/61nWKbV9sELnDZsL7u5-8JywqD4=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/making-marinades-safe-331649_V2-3283ef1d0a924afb8f91cb3a9f9b6740.png)
Making Marinades Safe
![High Angle View Of Baking Soda In Bowl On Wooden Table](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/KN124_kTHYtsrK7-W5sRv72eiOE=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/high-angle-view-of-baking-soda-in-bowl-on-wooden-table-746097353-5a614c8cec2f6400378da63e.jpg)
How to Determine if Your Baking Powder Is Still Good
![Free Range chickens](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/g_xWd-uyUNuuUDtURZwASYoWLCk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/free-range-chickens-87391374-5aaed3ae312834003761c1d2.jpg)
What Is Free-Range Chicken?
![Raw chicken egg yolk with blood spot](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/BW9HMTRJZVy4h8y6BrZrKY6V7FA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1133192714-d38adda0c4784403abd6422532db3f7a.jpg)
Is It Safe to Eat an Egg with a Blood Spot?
![Pouring milk into bowl with flour](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/8ADxctoEK6argMjdX8VeJxL1pIo=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pouring-milk-into-bowl-with-flour-555174795-5bf8302ac9e77c002610db5c.jpg)
How to Store Buttermilk Before and After Use
![Brown eggs boiling on stove top](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/hvfohJnnyZJiFS5sBSdWo03yNdQ=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-106748959-5c93e18646e0fb0001d8808b.jpg)
What to Do With Frozen Chicken Eggs
![Freezer](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/dqF4HGLQsp2KNIPXjDTr5OmLzOg=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/freezer-resized-56a4ec2d5f9b58b7d0d9ed9b.jpg)
Freezing Food and Freezer Food Safety
![Making Raspberry Jam](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/9A9VYkEjZoF59uCI6tdCfpBtTKM=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/making-raspberry-jam-175530592-5bf4ef4cc9e77c005146502b.jpg)
How to Tell If a Canning Jar Has Sealed Properly
Mayonnaise Spoilage Myths and Safety: Does Mayo Go Bad?
![](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/1ZiGz0m3XXvYrWK__XayDpJ1VEk=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-962568356-67c1e38fcbfd44e9a486ed5791f1f924.jpg)
How to Wash Lettuce and Other Greens
![Pigs](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/mPUH_FKHROfin4aGQNzfdhuO-_0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pigs-58aa00a35f9b58a3c9653e20.jpg)
What Is Pastured Pork?
![grill gas leak](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/gq5roDPeMk_anW8OdlnpTDYU5aA=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1180779734-216a7e4cd62f41de8de2263f3f695924.jpg)
How to Check Your Grill Fuel Lines for Gas Leaks
![barbecue meats on a serving board](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/wGCGjMFnCEPUwXZTq8-UGmCp3aw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-bbq-platter-638164900-5af3567bff1b7800205536c7.jpg)
Barbecue Leftovers
![Grilled Chicken on a salad](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/KDY8S7pfn1BoKZxOgX0v1I9OfX8=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tips-for-marinating-chicken-482394-0131d4d846bc4b008355059bebfd0aa3.jpg)
4 Essential Tips for Marinating (Or Not Marinating) Chicken
![Chicken Breast](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/bX7uwRYbxViIKK0_VJCVKbFZir0=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cookedchickenbreasts2500-5b73a64b46e0fb004f9cf396.jpg)
The 7 Biggest Mistakes When Cooking Chicken Breasts
![How to truss a chicken for roasting](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/0yKdmvIfUgftKLDMxWqPN3QB73M=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/truss-chicken-4000-57940acd5f9b58173bf2ac84.jpg)
How to Truss a Chicken: Step-By-Step Tutorial with Photos
![Smoked Whole Chicken](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/wtSB1gm2XANVG4XOw0lMNFMKKxU=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/traditional-chinese-food--barbecue-smoked-whole-chicken-1057160834-5c3e67d146e0fb00018a6770.jpg)
Smoking Chicken
![Poaching a whole chicken](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/nhOlvh4fxgTn9uGJcofNpzvg6fw=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/poached-chicken-1400-570c16e83df78c7d9efcbe19.jpg)
Poach a Whole Chicken for an Easy Meal (Or Several)
![Garlic chicken and shrimp on pasta.](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/vHxxDORWwpv4WT4rMafhZFstujY=/300x225/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/garlic-chicken-and-shrimp-3052859-list-4111736-e5ff25274aa94c31be50870edd445080.jpg)
28 Easy Chicken and Pasta Recipes