Holiday Feasts Without the Illness: Harris County Public Health Shares Must-Know Food Safety Tips
As Greater Houston families begin cooking, baking, and gathering for holiday celebrations, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is reminding residents that safe food handling is just as important as the recipes themselves. With many households preparing large meals, potluck dishes, and buffet-style spreads, the risk of foodborne illness increases if foods are not cooked, stored, and served properly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million people in the United States get sick from a foodborne illness every year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. These illnesses often stem from foods that are not handled, cooked, or chilled safely—something that becomes more common during holiday cooking marathons and long evenings of celebrating.
Health officials emphasize that the most vulnerable residents—including young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems—face the greatest risk of severe complications. With holiday gatherings ramping up across Harris County, HCPH says a few simple precautions can go a long way to protect loved ones.
Holiday-Specific Food Safety Tips That Matter Most
Beyond the basic safety reminders, the holiday season brings specific challenges that many home cooks overlook. HCPH encourages residents to keep the following guidelines in mind:
Turkey Thawing Timelines
One of the most common holiday mistakes involves thawing frozen turkeys on the countertop. Instead:
- Refrigerator thawing requires 24 hours per 4–5 pounds of turkey.
- For a 20-pound turkey, that means four to five days in the fridge.
- Never thaw poultry at room temperature, where bacteria can multiply quickly.
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Stuffing Safety
Stuffing cooked inside the bird often fails to reach a safe internal temperature.
- HCPH recommends cooking stuffing separately, ensuring it reaches at least 165°F.
Knowing How Long Holiday Foods Really Last
Many favorite dishes have short refrigerator lifespans:
- Turkey: 3–4 days
- Gravy: 1–2 days
- Casseroles: 3–4 days
- Pumpkin pie: Must be refrigerated
- Fruit pies: Safe at room temperature for 1–2 days
Leftovers should always be stored in shallow containers to cool quickly and safely.
Myth-Busting Holiday Food Safety
To help families avoid common pitfalls, HCPH highlights several persistent food-safety myths:
Myth: “If it looks and smells fine, it’s safe to eat.”
Fact: Dangerous bacteria often have no smell, taste, or visible signs.
Myth: “Reheating food will kill all bacteria.”
Fact: Some toxins produced by bacteria aren’t destroyed during reheating.
Myth: “Washing raw chicken makes it cleaner.”
Fact: Washing poultry spreads germs around the kitchen; cooking to 165°F kills bacteria.
These reminders can help reduce illness at a time when many households prepare more food than any other season of the year.
The Four Essential Steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill
HCPH encourages residents across Harris County to follow the CDC’s core four steps to keep food safe:
Clean
- Wash hands before, during, and after food preparation.
- Wash utensils, cutting boards, and counters with hot, soapy water.
- Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.
Separate
- Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Store raw items on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
- Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and fresh produce.
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Cook
- Use a food thermometer—color and texture are not reliable indicators.
- Cook poultry to 165°F; ground meats to 160°F; seafood to 145°F.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F and follow microwave instructions to heat evenly.
Chill
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
- Keep refrigerators at 40°F or below.
- Thaw foods only in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
What to Do if You Think You Got Sick
Residents experiencing severe dehydration, high fever, blood in the stool, or prolonged vomiting should seek medical care immediately. HCPH also encourages reporting suspected foodborne illness linked to local food establishments.
To report concerns, visit hcphtx.org/FoodBug or call 713-274-6300.
For more information about safe holiday cooking, visit the CDC’s Food Safety webpage.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
