What is a safe internal temperature for cooking meat and poultry?
Cook all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three-minutes before carving or consuming. Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 °F. Cook all poultry (whole, pieces & ground) to an internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. (ask.usda.gov)
How do I know when my food is “done”?
The best way to know if your food is done cooking is to use a food thermometer. When your food reaches a safe internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer, it is done and ready to eat. (Partnership for Food Safety Education)
When and how should I wash my hands during the cooking process?
Handwashing is important to the overall cooking process and will help keep you healthy. Wash your hands with soap and water before you start cooking and after each time you touch uncooked or raw meats, poultry, seafood, flour or eggs during cooking.
Handwashing should include these 5 steps:
- Wet hands.
- Lather.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse
- Dry with clean towel.
Do I need to wash any of the produce? How should fresh produce be washed before eating?
"To ensure food safety, we recommend that you wash all fresh produce prior to consumption, including: fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Fresh produce typically comes straight from the farm, so rinsing or scrubbing your produce is advised. Gently rub produce "skin", such as tomatoes, under cold running water. Scrub firm produce, such as carrots or onions, with a clean produce brush under running water.
Consumers should not wash fruits and vegetables with detergent or soap. These products are not approved or labeled by the Food and Drug Administration for use on foods."
(ask.usda.gov, Partnership for Food Safety Education).
Should I wash meat or poultry before cooking?
"Do not wash or rinse raw meat or poultry before you cook it. Washing can cause bacteria found on the surface of meat or poultry to be spread to ready-to-eat foods, kitchen utensils, and counter surfaces. This is called cross-contamination. Failure to clean these contaminated areas can lead to foodborne illness. Cooking (baking, broiling, boiling, and grilling) to the right temperature kills the bacteria, so washing food is not necessary. Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing if your food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria. " (ask.usda.gov) If I experienced a food safety issue with my box, ingredient(s), and/or specific meal-kit, what should I do?
At EveryPlate, the safety and quality of our ingredients is our highest priority. In the event that you experience a food safety issue or concern with your order, please reach out to our Customer Care team. You will be directed to a specialized team of food safety agents who provide dedicated support and assistance. To better aid our investigation process, we may ask for additional information regarding your order (i.e. recipe names, pictures, delivery and packaging information).
Will COVID-19 impact your food supply?
Our teams have prepared for a variety of scenarios and are working closely with our vast network of suppliers to minimize any disruptions to your service. Our food supply has not been impacted and we’re working hard to maintain safe and dependable service. If we anticipate any delays or changes to your upcoming order, we will notify you immediately through email.
Are EveryPlate employees offered paid sick leave?
Yes. The health and wellbeing of our employees and customers is our highest priority. As such, all of our employees are given paid sick leave. We’ve also enhanced our sick leave and attendance policies to support our hourly employees who may have been directly impacted, are feeling symptomatic and/or those who are mandated to self-quarantine. In addition, we’re providing added flexibility to working parents who are navigating school and daycare closures.
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “there is no evidence to support the spread of COVID-19 through food.” Additionally, “there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.” Maintaining the safety and quality of our product and ensuring our customers’ well being is our highest priority. Rest assured that we would never do anything to put either of those at risk.
What precautions are your delivery partners taking?
We are working very closely with our delivery partners to ensure the quality and safety of our product while in transit. According to the CDC, “there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures,” and there is no evidence to support the spread of COVID-19 through food. In addition, our delivery partners have been directed to follow strict hygiene protocols which include frequent hand washing and regularly disinfecting steering wheels and areas of the truck which are often touched. Drivers have also been advised to stay home if they are feeling sick or exhibit any symptoms of acute respiratory illness.
Will my EveryPlate service be disrupted?
EveryPlate is fully committed to serving our customers through these challenging times.
Along with other food suppliers, we have been classified as “critical infrastructure” by the Department of Homeland Security and as an “essential business” by a number of state and local governments, so we are not impacted by the same closures as other businesses. We have a responsibility to provide fresh, healthy meals through no-contact deliveries, and we take that very seriously. Rest assured, we are working closely with our network of suppliers and partners to minimize any disruptions to your service.
At this time, there are no major interruptions to our service and our teams are taking the necessary precautions to maintain the safety and well being of our employees and customers, which remains our highest priority. To stay operational, we are closely following guidance from the CDC, increasing the sanitization at our facilities, and taking many additional safety precautions. If there are any unscheduled changes to your delivery, we’ll always contact you first to let you know. If we’re unable to deliver your box for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund promptly.
What would you do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19?
All EveryPlate facilities have the highest level of food safety certification and we follow a rigorous process guided by the FDA and CDC to maintain the safety of our employees and product, which is our highest priority.
We have also implemented more safety measures to protect the health and well-being of our employees, including:
- Daily hospital-grade deep cleanings and full-site sanitizations in addition to our strict cleaning and disinfecting measures
- Daily temperature checks for anyone entering the building
- A mandate that everyone in our facilities wear facemasks at all times
In the event that an employee tests positive for COVID-19, we immediately activate our response protocol, which includes an intensified cleaning of impacted areas and notification to employees. We take direct guidance from the FDA, CDC and local health department to ensure no contamination and always maintain the safety of our meal kits and employees. In addition, any employee who displays any symptoms of acute respiratory illness or has been exposed to validated cases of COVID-19 is not permitted on the premises for at least 14 days.
Where do I store my Ready To Blend Smoothies?
They should always be stored in your freezer, not refrigerator.
To enjoy, simply follow the instructions listed on the packaging of each cup.
We always recommend viewing the packaging for the most up to date prep instructions and enjoy by date once you receive our Ready to Blend Smoothies!
