12 Food Safety Mistakes You’re Definitely Making

4. Thaw your food out safely.

Many of us thaw food by leaving it out on the counter, but this can actually cause germs to multiply rapidly. The safest way to thaw food is in the fridge, in cold water, or by rapidly heating it in a microwave or saucepan.

5. Don't wash raw chicken.

Raw meat, especially raw chicken, has bacteria that can easily spread throughout your kitchen if you wash it. Just don't wash it — the risks are far greater than the rewards.

6. Cooked meat and raw meat are very different.

When you're running out of counter space, it might be tempting to reuse plates. Make sure to nevercross-contaminate by, for instance, putting cooked meat on a plate that once held raw meat.

7. Different foods need different cooking times.

Many foods, notably poultry and eggs, can cause food poisoning if they're undercooked. Invest in a meat thermometer and study the chart to know how long food needs to be cooked for in order to be safely eaten.