For those gathering for the holiday season and cooking food, the Guthrie County Health Services Department has some safety tips. 

Health Services Director Jotham Arber says the number one safety concern is storing leftover food correctly. He states to make sure that food is cooked to the right temperature and not left out in room temperature. Arber explains what he has seen when safety measures are not in place. 

“As a health director over the last 14 years, I’ve seen a lot of foodborne illness it? is generally related to a couple of things, one, not preparing the food right or two, not storing the food right.”

Arber adds to help keep everyone safe to always use serving utensils when passing food around at a gathering.

 

Chicken, broiler/fryer (unstuffed)	3 to 4 pounds	350 degrees F	11/4 to 1-1/2 hours
Chicken, roaster (unstuffed)	5 to 7 pounds	350 degrees F	2 to 2-1/4 hours
Whole turkey (thawed and unstuffed)	8 to 12 pounds	325 degrees F	2-3/4 to 3 hours
Whole turkey (thawed and unstuffed)	12 to 14 pounds	325 degrees F	3 to 3-3/4 hours
Ham	5-7 pounds	internal Temperature: 140°F	18-25 minutes