National Food Safety Education Month is observed every September to raise awareness about preventing foodborne illness (food poisoning). Created in 1994, it highlights safe food handling practices for consumers and the food service industry, noting that roughly 1 in 6 Americans contract food poisoning annually.

Food safety is especially important for people with diabetes. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight harmful germs from food poisoning.

Follow the core safe handling rules and watch out for risky items.

Four Steps to Safe Food:

• Clean: Wash your hands, counters, and utensils often. Wash the tops of cans before you open them and rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables. 
• Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods like salads and fresh fruit. 
• Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure meat and fish reach safe internal temperatures. 
• Chill: Put leftovers in the fridge within two hours (or one hour if it is very hot outside). Keep your fridge at 40°F or colder  

• Raw or undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, or seafood.
• Unpasteurized (raw) milk and soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. 
• Hot dogs, deli meats, or cold cuts unless they are reheated until steaming hot. 
• Raw sprouts