The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has issued a reminder to consumers about the importance of food safety during holiday meal preparation. The department noted that holiday meals often last for extended periods, which increases the risk associated with improper preparation, serving, and storage.
VDACS encouraged individuals to review and implement recommended food safety practices before starting their holiday cooking in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses among guests and family members.
The agency also directed consumers seeking more information on safe food handling to consult resources available at www.foodsafety.gov.
