CDC: 5 dangerous food safety mistakes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) estimates that each year 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.

We all want to keep our families safe and healthy. But sometimes a simple mistake in the way we handle and prepare food can lead to serious sickness. With some germs like Salmonella, just a small amount in undercooked food is enough to cause food poisoning. And just a tiny taste of food with botulism toxin can cause paralysis and even death.

The CDC provides the following information so you can protect your family by avoiding these common food safety mistakes.

Mistake #1: Eating risky foods if you are more likely to get food poisoning

Why It's a Mistake: Anyone can get food poisoning. But some people are more likely to get sick and to have a more serious illness. This includes: - Adults aged 65 and older - Children younger than 5 years - People who have health problems or who take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs and sickness (weakened immune systems) - Pregnant women

Solution: People who are more likely to get food poisoning should not eat the following: - Undercooked or raw animal products (such as meat, chicken, turkey, eggs, or seafood) - Raw or lightly cooked sprouts - Unpasteurized (raw) milk and juices - Soft cheese (such as queso fresco), unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk

Mistake #2: Not washing your hands

Why It's a Mistake: Germs on your hands can get on food and make it unsafe.

Solution: Wash hands the right way--for 20 seconds with soap and running water. Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food; before eating; and after using the toilet or changing a child's diaper.

Mistake #3: Washing meat, chicken, or turkey

Why It's a Mistake: Washing raw meat, chicken, turkey, or eggs can spread germs to your sink, countertops, and other surfaces in your kitchen. Those germs can get on other foods, like salads or fruit, and make you sick.

Washing Chicken Spreads Germs

Solution: Don't wash meat, chicken, turkey, or eggs. Cooking them thoroughly will kill harmful germs.

Mistake #4: Peeling fruits and vegetables without washing them first

Why It's a Mistake: Fruits and vegetables may have germs on their peeling or skin. It's easy to transfer those germs to the inside of fruits and vegetables when you cut or peel them.

Solution: Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water even if you're going to peel them. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm fruits and vegetables like melons, avocados, and cucumbers.

Mistake #5: Putting cooked meat back on a plate that held raw meat

Why It's a Mistake: Germs from the raw meat can spread to the cooked meat.

Solution: Always use separate plates for raw meat and cooked meat. The same rule applies to chicken, turkey, and seafood.