COVID-19 Clean Kitchen & Safe Food

Clean Kitchen and Safe FoodHow do I keep my home kitchen clean?

  • Wash hands* before handling and prepping foods
  • Wash all fresh produce before you work with them
  • Clean surfaces with cleaning agents before and after food prep

When to wash hands

Always wash hands before handling, preparing or eating food and when feeding children or the elderly.

Hands also should be washed after you:

  • Prepare or handle raw foods such as poultry or other meats and seafood
  • Switch food preparation tasks, such as working with raw meat then cutting vegetables
  • Handle egg products
  • Use the restroom
  • Handle garbage or dirty dishes

Other situations that indicate hands should be washed include:

  • Changing a diaper
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Smoking
  • Touching animals or other people
  • Touching your hair or body or any open cuts or sores
  • Using the phone
  • Handling dirty laundry

How to Wash Hands:

  • Wet hands with running water and apply soap. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water can be warm or cold. Make sure to wash your hands front and back, up to your wrists, between fingers and under fingernails.
  • Take at least 20 seconds to wash your hands — about the time it takes to sing two choruses of “Happy Birthday.”
  • Dry hands with disposable paper towels, clean cloth towels or air dry.