{"id":15040,"date":"2019-10-03T09:23:42","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T14:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/?p=15040"},"modified":"2019-10-03T09:23:42","modified_gmt":"2019-10-03T14:23:42","slug":"national-taco-day-and-food-safety-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/articles\/food-safety-news\/national-taco-day-and-food-safety-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"National Taco Day Food Safety and Deals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>National Taco Day is October 4th and it\u2019s a fiesta for taco lovers with many national taco chains marking the day with free tacos and specials.<br \/>\nAccording to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nationaltacoday.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" rel=\"nofollow\" >National Taco Day&#8217;s official website<\/a>, Americans ate more than 4.5 billion tacos last year. That&#8217;s a lot of tacos.<br \/>\nFor National Taco Day, consider the countless variations you can create using traditional meats or with seafood, chicken, beans, cheese, and\/or eggs. Accent your taco with an array of garnishes \u2013 salsa, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, onions and lettuce &#8211; and you will have a tasty meal!<br \/>\nUse the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NationalTacoDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" rel=\"nofollow\" >#NationalTacoDay<\/a> on social media to find the best National Taco Day deals or <a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/national-taco-day-friday-heres-153527803.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" rel=\"nofollow\" >check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"media-credit-container alignleft\"  style=\"max-width: 1034px\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18782 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711.jpg\" alt=\"tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness\" width=\"1024\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711-225x148.jpg 225w, http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711-125x82.jpg 125w, http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711-768x506.jpg 768w, http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_002_shutterstock_158216711-660x435.jpg 660w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span class=\"media-credit\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/plate-tacos-on-wooden-table-158216711\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" >Image Source: Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h3>The Four Food Safety Steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill<\/h3>\n<p>If you plan on having your own fiesta and making your world famous tacos &#8211; it&#8217;s a good time to brush up on food safety and the proper procedures of preparing and serving.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"media-credit-container alignleft\"  style=\"max-width: 1034px\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18586\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/food_safety_clean_separate_cook_chill.jpg\" alt=\"food_safety_clean_separate_cook_chill\" width=\"1024\" height=\"531\" \/><span class=\"media-credit\">Image Source: Shutterstock<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h3>Clean<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Wash hands and surfaces often<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clean hands and surfaces.<\/strong> Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling pets. Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wash produce.<\/strong> Rinse fresh vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. Scrub firm produce with a clean produce brush.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"help-box\">\r\n<div class=\"help-title\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-right: 8px;\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/index_files\/food_safety_training_banner_icon.png\" alt=\"Food Safety Training\" width=\"39\" height=\"39\" align=\"absmiddle\" \/>Food Safety Training - SALE 10% OFF<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"help-link\"><a class=\"help-button\" title=\"More Info\/Enroll Now\" href=\"http:\/\/www.foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/food_service_safety_training_courses.html\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"nofollow\" >State Map<\/a><\/div>\r\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\r\n<div style=\"margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Learn about foodborne pathogens, cross contamination, cold and hot food safety, and best practices to prevent foodborne illness.<\/li>\r\n<li>Food Manager ANSI Certification: $99.00 - Valid in all States<\/li>\r\n<li>Food Handler Training: Only $7.00!<\/li>\r\n<li>10% OFF: Enter Promo Code \"train10off\" at Checkout<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<h3>Separate<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Separate raw meats from other foods<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid cross contamination.<\/strong> Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water. Don\u2019t reuse marinades used on raw foods unless you bring them to a boil first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Cook<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Cook to the right temperature<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use a food thermometer.<\/strong> Color and texture are unreliable indicators of safety. Using a food thermometer is the only way to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products for all cooking methods. These foods must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microwave cooking.<\/strong> When cooking in a microwave oven, cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"media-credit-container alignleft\"  style=\"max-width: 1034px\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18786 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_011_shutterstock_1209439075.jpg\" alt=\"tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><span class=\"media-credit\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/tacos-chicken-tomatoes-corn-guacamole-salsa-1209439075\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" >Image Source: Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<h3>Chill<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Refrigerate foods promptly<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Refrigerate\u00a0 within 2 hours.<\/strong> Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within 2 hours of cooking or purchasing. Refrigerate within 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90\u00b0 F.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thawing Food.<\/strong> There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Marinating food.<\/strong> Always marinate food in the refrigerator.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Divide leftovers.<\/strong> Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures<\/h3>\n<p>Use this chart and a food thermometer to ensure that meat, poultry, seafood, and other cooked foods reach a safe minimum internal temperature.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"media-credit-container alignleft\"  style=\"max-width: 1034px\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18784 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness_006_shutterstock_497359351.jpg\" alt=\"tacos_nachos_day_food_safety_illness\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><span class=\"media-credit\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/delicious-spicy-shrimp-taco-creamy-cilantro-497359351\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" >Image Source: Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div style=\"clear: both; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p>Remember, you can\u2019t tell whether meat is safely cooked by looking at it. Any cooked, uncured red meats \u2013 including pork \u2013 can be pink, even when the meat has reached a safe internal temperature.<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"2\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"colorhead\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"Category\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Category<\/strong><\/th>\n<th id=\"food\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Food<\/strong><\/th>\n<th id=\"temp\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Temperature (\u00b0F)\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\n<th id=\"rest\" scope=\"col\"><strong>Rest\u00a0Time\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"meatmix\" rowspan=\"2\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Ground Meat &amp; Meat Mixtures<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"beef\" scope=\"row\">Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb<\/td>\n<td headers=\"meatmix beef temp\">160<\/td>\n<td headers=\"meatmix beef rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"turkey\" scope=\"row\">Turkey, Chicken<\/td>\n<td headers=\"meatmix turkey temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"meatmix turkey rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"freshbeef\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"steaks\" scope=\"row\">Steaks, roasts, chops<\/td>\n<td headers=\"freshbeef steaks temp\">145<\/td>\n<td headers=\"freshbeef steaks rest\">3 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"Poultry\" rowspan=\"5\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Poultry<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"chicken\" scope=\"row\">Chicken &amp; Turkey, whole<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry chicken temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry chicken rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"Poultrybreasts\" scope=\"row\">Poultry breasts, roasts<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry Poultrybreasts temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry Poultrybreasts rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"thighs\" scope=\"row\">Poultry thighs, legs, wings<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry thighs temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry thighs rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"duck\" scope=\"row\">Duck &amp; Goose<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry duck temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry duck rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"stuffing\" scope=\"row\">Stuffing (cooked alone or in bird)<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry stuffing temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Poultry stuffing rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"Pork\" rowspan=\"3\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Pork and Ham<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"fresh\" scope=\"row\">Fresh pork<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork fresh temp\">145<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork fresh rest\">3 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"freshham\" scope=\"row\">Fresh ham (raw)<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork freshham temp\">145<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork freshham rest\">3 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"precookham\" scope=\"row\">Precooked ham (to reheat)<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork precookham temp\">140<\/td>\n<td headers=\"Pork precookham rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"EggEggDishes\" rowspan=\"2\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Eggs &amp; Egg Dishes<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"eggs\" scope=\"row\">Eggs<\/td>\n<td headers=\"EggEggDishes eggs temp\">Cook until yolk and white are firm<\/td>\n<td headers=\"EggEggDishes eggs rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"eggdishes\" scope=\"row\">Egg dishes<\/td>\n<td headers=\"EggEggDishes eggdishes temp\">160<\/td>\n<td headers=\"EggEggDishes eggdishes rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"LeftoversCasseroles\" rowspan=\"2\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Leftovers &amp; Casseroles<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"Leftovers\" scope=\"row\">Leftovers<\/td>\n<td headers=\" LeftoversCasseroles Leftovers temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\" LeftoversCasseroles Leftovers rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color2\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"Casseroles\" scope=\"row\">Casseroles<\/td>\n<td headers=\" LeftoversCasseroles Casseroles temp\">165<\/td>\n<td headers=\" LeftoversCasseroles Casseroles rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<th id=\"Seafood\" rowspan=\"4\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Seafood<\/strong><\/th>\n<td id=\"FinFish\" scope=\"row\">Fin Fish<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood FinFish temp\">145 or cook until flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork.<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood FinFish rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"Shrimp\" scope=\"row\">Shrimp, lobster, and crabs<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Shrimp temp\">Cook until flesh is pearly and opaque.<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Shrimp rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"Clams\" scope=\"row\">Clams, oysters, and mussels<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Clams temp\">Cook until shells open during cooking.<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Clams rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"color1\" valign=\"top\">\n<td id=\"Scallops\" scope=\"row\">Scallops<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Scallops temp\">Cook until flesh is milky white or opaque and firm.<\/td>\n<td headers=\" Seafood Scallops rest\">None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h3>Taco Deals:<\/h3>\n<p>Use the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NationalTacoDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" rel=\"nofollow\" >#NationalTacoDay<\/a> on social media to find the best National Taco Day deals or <a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/national-taco-day-friday-heres-153527803.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" rel=\"nofollow\" >check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"media-credit-container alignleft\"  style=\"max-width: 1034px\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18785 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/national_taco_day_food_illness_safety_001_shutterstock_470847413.jpg\" alt=\"national_taco_day_food_illness_safety\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" \/><span class=\"media-credit\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/fish-tacos-shell-tomato-beans-capsicum-470847413\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" >Image Source: Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<h3>Summary<\/h3>\n<p>If you plan on having your own fiesta and making your world famous tacos &#8211; it&#8217;s a good time to brush up on the proper food safety procedures for preparing and serving your tacos.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>National Taco Day is October 4th and if you plan on having your own fiesta and making your world famous tacos &#8211; it&#8217;s a good time to brush up on the proper food safety procedures for preparing and serving your tacos.<br \/>\nAlso, use the hashtag #NationalTacoDay on social media to find the best National Taco Day deals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[79,237],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15040"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15040"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15040\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}