How to Handle Food Safely From the Supermarket to the Kitchen
April 22, 2010— -- There are 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. every year, and 5,000 of them are fatal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But lawmakers are seeking to change that. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would enhance food safety rules and strengthen government oversight. The legislation would mean heightened scrutiny for the nation's food manufacturers.
Unsafe foods often prompt sweeping recalls -- of popular items such as ground beef, spinach, peanut butter and many others.
While consumers have relatively little control over how their food is processed, there are ways that they can protect themselves by shopping wisely and taking precautions at home.
Mandy Walker from ShopSmart magazine visited "Good Morning America" to share some food safety tips:
Supermarket Shopping Tips
Click HERE to visit ShopSmart magazine.
From the Supermarket ...
Walker recommended that shoppers wipe the handles of their shopping cart. Some stores may provide wipes, but you should carry some of your own, especially if you are taking a child along. It's also not a bad idea to clean your hands when you leave the supermarket, she said.
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