Thomasville Scene April-May 2022 | Page 22

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Take a little “ Egg-stra ” care with food safety !

by Ashleigh Childs | University of Georgia Thomas County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and a LiveBetter Thomas County Advisory Board Member
Those eggs should not be consumed . Even Grade A eggs with clean shells have the potential to contain Salmonella Enteritidis so take care in cooking thoroughly before consumption .

Many families will celebrate the Easter holiday with loved ones this season , gathered around the table to share those tried-and-true family recipes . From the spiral sliced ham and deviled eggs to the carrot cake and lemon meringue pies , families will enjoy unique and satisfying traditions passed down through generations .

Once the meal is complete and all the hidden eggs have found their homes in a basket , there are some things to remember in order to keep those leftovers safe . Use the following guidelines to store and reheat your remaining food items :
• Ham ( including spiral sliced ): These may be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or frozen for 1-2 months . Remember , keep your refrigerator at or below 40 degrees and your freezer at or near 0 degrees . Date labeling is also important and can be help determine the best consume-by date .
Reheating Instructions : To reheat cooked hams , set the oven temperature no lower than 325 degrees . Heat ham to an internal temperature of 165 degrees , measured using a food thermometer . You want to remove any potential pathogens that could contaminate the food .
Reheat a spiral sliced ham for about 10 minutes per pound . Cover with heavy duty aluminum foil to prevent drying out .
• Eggs : If you chose to hard-boil eggs before your Easter egg hunt , those are only safe to eat one week after cooking . Eggs should be stored at or below 40 degrees . Use caution if you chose to hide dyed eggs near dirt , pets or other potential sources of bacteria .
22 April | May 2022 Thomasville Scene