Debbie DeRossitte's lecture about meat safety benefits students in Agriculture Communication class!

Debbie DeRossitte, Craighead County extension agent of family and consumer sciences, made a speech to us about meat safety issue when people hang out for a barbeque and how to prevent the illness caused by the meat Monday morning,June 11.

 Proper handwashing was an important step to prevent foodborne illness. DeRossitte taught the class the right way to wash their hands.Wet your hands with warm or cold running water and apply soap. Then rub your hands together to make a lather ans scrub them well. Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Then continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands using a disposable towel.

Beside proper handwashing to decrease foodborne illness, DeRossitte said that people should use a food thermometer to check the temperature of food. Insert tip of stem into thickest part of the food. Hold for at least 15 seconds to read accurate temperature. Keep the stem from touching the sides or bottom of the pan.

 A thermometer is given to everyone as a gift at the end of her lecture and DeRossitte hope that students can learn something of meat safety, protect themselves and have fun when they are out with families and friends.

“I always choose well done food in restaurant,” DeRossitte said to answer one student’s question. She suggests everyone has a good knowledge of meat safety and lives a healthy life.