Tackle Kitchen Spring Cleaning and Reduce Your Risk Of Food Poisoning

Tackle Kitchen Spring Cleaning and Reduce Your Risk Of 

Food Poisoning With Tips from Homefoodsafety.Org 

Spring is now upon us, welcoming flowers, warmer weather and of course spring cleaning. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics along with ConAgra Foods encourages Americans to give their kitchens a thorough cleaning with tips from the Home Food Safety program’s www.HomeFoodSafety.org. 

“Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to give the kitchen a good food safety check and cleaning, especially refrigerators and freezers where raw meat, poultry and seafood is stored,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson Karen Ansel. 

During National Nutrition Month, Ansel shares simple steps from www.HomeFoodSafety.org to help reduce cross contamination in the kitchen, and minimize the risk of food poisoning:

Kitchen Surfaces 

“Illness-causing bacteria can survive in many places around the kitchen, not just on hands alone,” Ansel says. “Unless people wash their hands, utensils and surfaces the right way, they could unintentionally spread bacteria to their food and family.” 

· Keep countertops clean by washing with hot soapy water before and after preparing food. Clean surfaces and utensils with a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

· Keep kitchen surfaces such as appliances, countertops, cutting boards and utensils clean with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item. Keeping cutting boards and surfaces clean, and following proper sponge safety, helps prevent cross-contamination.

Refrigerator 
“Everything that comes in contact with food must be kept clean all year long to reduce cross-contamination, including the refrigerator,” Ansel says. “Spring is the perfect time to clean up and set regular cleaning routines.” 

· Check that the refrigerator temperature is set to below 40° F. Download the Refrigerator Safety Checklist and Refrigerator Cleaning Guide for additional information.

· Keep the refrigerator clean at all times; this is a good time to look for unnoticed spills and remove lingering odors. Wipe up spills and clean surfaces with hot, soapy water and rinse them well.

· To keep the refrigerator smelling fresh and help eliminate odors, place an opened box of baking soda on a shelf. Avoid using solvent cleaning agents, abrasives, and any cleansers that may impart a chemical taste to food or ice cubes, or cause damage to the interior finish of your refrigerator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Shelf life 

“Whether in the pantry or refrigerator, it’s important to make sure food items haven’t spoiled,” Ansel says. “Remember – when in doubt, toss it out!” 

· This is a good time of year to use or throw away foods that are losing their quality or have spoiled, for both refrigerated items and non-refrigerated items in the pantry. For a detailed listing of the shelf-life of foods, as well as a kitchen safety quiz, download the free “Is My Food Safe?” app.

· Make spring the time to begin new food safety habits. Once a week, make it a habit to throw out perishable foods that should no longer be eaten.

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods’ Home Food Safety program is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of food poisoning and providing solutions for easily and safely handling food in their own kitchens. More information can be found at www.homefoodsafety.org. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org. 

WHERE should YOU GET YOUR NUTRITION ADVICE?

FOR RELEASE MARCH 13, 2013 

WHERE should YOU GET YOUR NUTRITION ADVICE? 

SEEK THE GUIDANCE OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION EXPERTS 

Wednesday, March 13, is Registered Dietitian Day, celebrating the contributions and expertise of RDs as the nation’s food and nutrition experts. 

All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. It’s an important distinction that can matter a great deal to your health. 

To mark Registered Dietitian Day 2013 and to strengthen the link between the science of dietetics and the overall wellness aspects of nutrition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration have approved the optional use of the credential “registered dietitian nutritionist” by all registered dietitians. 

“Registered Dietitian Day takes place each March – during National Nutrition Month – to recognize the unequalled contributions of RDs in improving the public’s health through food and nutrition,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President Ethan Bergman. 

The opportunity to use the RDN credential is offered to RDs who want to directly convey the nutrition aspects of their training and expertise. “This option reflects who registered dietitians are and what we do,” Bergman says. 

“Just as our organization included ‘nutrition’ in our new name in 2012, the option of using ‘nutritionist’ in an individual RD’s credential can communicate the broad concept of wellness, including prevention of health conditions, as well as the treatment of conditions that are part of virtually every RD’s practice,” Bergman says. 

“The message for the public is: Look for the RD – and now, the RDN – credential when determining who is the best source of safe and accurate nutrition information,” Bergman says. “All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. So when you’re looking for qualified food and nutrition experts, look for the RD or RDN credential.” 

Registered dietitians and registered dietitian nutritionists must meet stringent academic and professional requirements, including earning at least a bachelor’s degree, completing a supervised practice program and passing a registration examination. RDs and RDNs must also complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration. More than half of all RD and RDNs have also earned master’s degrees or higher. 

“RDs and RDNs translate nutrition science into practical and applicable ways for people to bring nutritious foods into their daily lives. It is our role to discern between fact and fiction and give people the tools to make realistic eating behavior changes,” Bergman says. 

The majority of registered dietitians work in the treatment and prevention of disease, often in hospitals, HMOs, private practice or other health care facilities. In addition, RDs and RDNs work in community and public health settings and academia and research. RDs and RDNs work with food and nutrition industry and business, journalism, sports nutrition, corporate wellness programs and other work settings. 

“Registered dietitians’ expertise in nutrition and health is more extensive than any other health profession and has been recognized as such by Congress as well as federal health agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,” Bergman says. 

“Numerous scientific studies over many years, including studies mandated by Congress, have shown that medical nutrition therapy provided by a registered dietitian can lower health costs, decrease hospital stays and improve people’s health,” Bergman says. “Besides being the designated providers under federal law of medical nutrition therapy for Medicare beneficiaries, registered dietitians are the preferred providers of nutrition care and services in many private-sector insurance plans.” 

Learn more about what RDs and RDNs can do for you and find a registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist in your area at www.eatright.org/RD. For more information about the RDN credential, visit www.eatright.org/RDN. 

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.