Status: Baseline only
Most Recent Data:
42.0
percent
(2016)
Target:
47.0
percent
Desired Direction:
Increase desired
Baseline:
42.0
percent of consumers correctly followed the recommendation to use a food thermometer when cooking meat and poultry in 2016
Increase the proportion of consumers who follow the key food safety practice of "Cook: cook to the safe internal temperature"
Data Source: Food Safety Survey, FDA
Summary
Making sure meat, poultry, and other foods are fully cooked is an important way to improve food safety. Using a food thermometer helps make sure foods reach an internal temperature high enough to kill harmful germs. Educating people about the importance of using a food thermometer when cooking is critical for preventing diseases caused by contaminated food.
Topics: Safe Food Handling, Foodborne Illness
Workgroup: Food Safety Workgroup