USDA: 4th of July is Leading Day for Food Poisoning

(News/Talk 1480 WHBC) – Here’s a not-so-notable fact about the 4th of July.

More people get food poisoning on Independence Day than any other day of the year.

Janell Goodwin with the USDA says people think they know what made them sick, but that’s not always the case.

She says it can take hours and even days for symptoms to appear.

One tip: don’t leave perishable food items out in the heat for hours at a time.

Here’s another: use a meat thermometer while grilling meat outside.

Questions? Go to the Food Safety website or call the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-M-P-HOTLINE.