As Illinois residents prepare for holiday meals, the Illinois Department of Public Health is urging everyone to follow food safety guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses, according to a community announcement.

“As we kick off the holiday season, I want to remind everybody, and especially those preparing meals, that we can prevent foodborne illnesses by following proven food safety tips,” IDPH Director Sameer Vohra said.

Thawing turkey safely is crucial

One of the most important steps in preparing a turkey is thawing it safely. When a turkey begins to thaw, any germs or bacteria that may have been present before freezing can start to grow again. Food safety experts recommend thawing turkeys in the refrigerator, which takes about 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey. For example, a

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