Community Services - PSA

Protect against foodborne illness this Thanksgiving

Public Health offers safe food preparation recommendations

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2021

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) would like everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday by staying safe and healthy. Public Health recommends following the tips below to avoid foodborne illness (also called foodborne disease or food poisoning) and keep the holiday celebration cheerful.

Raw or undercooked meats including turkey, chicken, beef, and lamb can contain bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella or E. coli, that cause diarrhea and other health problems. It’s important to note that freezing does not kill these bacteria but cooking meats to the proper temperature does kill them.

When purchasing a fresh turkey, plan to cook it within 1- 2 days after purchase. The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend purchasing retail-stuffed fresh turkey, roasters, Cornish hens, or other whole stuffed poultry because of the highly perishable nature of a previously stuffed item.

To thaw a turkey:

In the Refrigerator:
- Place your frozen turkey in its original wrapper in the refrigerator (40° F or below).
- Allow approximately 24 hours of thaw time per 5 pounds of turkey.
- After thawing, keep turkey refrigerated for only 1-2 days before cooking.
In Cold Water:
- Place securely wrapped turkey in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes.
- Allow about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey.
- Cook immediately after thawing.
Do not thaw frozen pre-stuffed turkeys before cooking.
Do not refreeze a turkey that has been thawed.

To cook a turkey:

When roasting a whole turkey:
- Use a food thermometer to make sure it cooks to 165°F or higher.
- Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, but not against the bone.
- For safety and uniform doneness, cook stuffing separately in a casserole dish.
For pre-cooked turkey dinners:
- Eat within 2 hours or refrigerate components separately, then reheat to a temperature of at least 165°F.
Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys:
- Cook from the frozen state by following package directions.
When deep frying a turkey:
- Remember the dangers of deep frying a turkey. Turkey fryers can easily start a fire.
- Use your turkey fryer only outdoors on a sturdy, level surface well away from things that can burn.
- Make sure to have a “3-foot kid- and pet-free zone” around your turkey fryer to protect against burn injuries.

Other food handling tips include:

Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food, especially raw food, and after using the restroom.
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cutting into them.
Separate raw meats and poultry from other foods such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid cross contamination by using separate cutting boards, knives, and platters for these foods.
Wash cutting boards, utensils, and platters after preparing each food item.
Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when re-heating.
Keep hot foods hot. Use chafing dishes or pans with Sternos or other heating devices, or keep foods in the oven at a temperature to ensure they remain at 135°F or above.
Keep cold foods cold (40°F or below). Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Throw out foods that should have been kept cold but have been left out for more than two hours.
Leftovers should be used within 3 to 4 days.
“Taste testing” food or drinks to see if they have spoiled is not recommended.

During the holidays, Public Health investigates cases of foodborne illness that are the result of undercooked food and/or poor food handling practices. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which can start hours or days after consuming contaminated food or drink.

For healthy people, most symptoms usually go away after a few hours or days without treatment. However, foodborne illness can be severe and even life-threatening in older adults, infants and young children, pregnant women, and those with conditions that weaken their immune systems.

For more information on safe cooking, visit the USDA website at: www.usda.gov or call their toll- free Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854. Food safety specialists are available, in English or Spanish, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time during the week year-round. An extensive menu of recorded food safety messages may be heard 24 hours a day.

For Frequently Asked Questions, visit: Avoid Foodborne Illness This Thanksgiving.

Up Next

Parks After Dark returns with a captivating Winter Wonderland

Don't Miss

AAA: Thanksgiving travel to rebound almost to pre-pandemic levels

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Community Services - PSA

LGBTQ+ voter education town hall held tonight in Los Angeles

Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX host discussion on upcoming election.

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2024

Gisselle Palomera

(stock photo)

The Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX, a national division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, will host their second annual voter education town hall today at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in Los Angeles from 7PM to 9PM tonight.

The organizations will present and discuss ballot propositions and measures that will appear on the November ballot and that affect the LGBTQ+ community in this part of the town hall series titled ‘The Issues.’

“The trans and nonbinary community is taking its seat at the table, and we are taking the time and space to be informed and prepare the voter base,” said Queen Victoria Ortega, international president of FLUX.

The town hall will feature conversations through a Q&A followed by a reception for program participants, organizational partners and LGBTQ+ city and county officials.

There will later be a third town hall before the election and The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center will also become a voting location for anyone who feels like they need a safe space to vote, regardless of what voting district they are a part of.

“Our community is really asking for a place to talk about what all of this actually means because although we live in a blue sphere, housing and other forms of discrimination are still a very real threat,” said Scottie Jeanette Madden, director of advocacy at The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center.

Community Services - PSA

Youth Baseball & Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 are back!

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

LA Blade Digital Staff

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – As the world gets a little warmer and we settle into the Spring season, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the return of our Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 season.

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ARE BACK!

Sign up for our Spring Sports Leagues, Coming to an LA County Parks Near You!

REGISTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES TODAY!

YOUTH BASEBALL

Baseball season is right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to sign up your young athletes for our Youth Baseball Leagues! Our Baseball Leagues will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Baseball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates:
D3-D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
Divisions 3 – 6

NORTH AGENCY

Castaic Sports Complex: 31230 N. Castaic Rd., Castaic 91384 | (661) 775 8865

George Lane Park: 5520 W. Avenue, L-8, Quartz Hill, 93534 | (661) 722 7780

Jackie Robinson Park: 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock, 93543 | (661) 944 2880

Stephen Sorensen Park: 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, 93591 | (661) 264 1249

El Cariso: 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, 91342 | (818) 367 5043

Loma Alta: 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, 91001 | (626) 398 5451

Pearblossom Park: 33922 North 121st St East, Pearblossom, 93553 | (661) 944 2988

Val Verde Park: 30300 Arlington St Castaic, 91384 | (661) 257 4014

EAST AGENCY

Arcadia Park: 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia 91006 | (626) 821 4619

Allen Martin Park: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente 91744 | (626) 918 5263

Bassett Park: 510 Vineland Ave. Bassett | (626) 333 0959

Charter Oak Park: 20261 E. Covina Blvd. Covina, 91723 | (626) 339 0411

Dalton Park: 18867 E. Armstead St., Azusa, 91702 | (626) 852 1491

Manzanita Park: 1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights, 91745 | (626) 336 6246

Pathfinder Park: 18150 Pathfinder Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748 (562) 690 0933

Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, 91010 | (626) 357 1619

Rimgrove Park: 747 North Rimgrove Dr. La Puente 91744 | (626) 330 8798

Rowland Heights Park: 1500 Banida Ave. Rowland Heights, 91748 | (626) 912 6774

San Angelo Park: 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente 91746 | (626) 333 6162

Sunshine Park: 515 S. Deepmead Ave. La Puente, 91744 | (626) 854 5559

Steinmetz Park: 1545 S. Stimson Ave. Hacienda Heights, 91748 | (626) 855 5383

Valleydale Park: 5225 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – (626) 334-8020

SOUTH AGENCY

Amigo Park: 5700 Juarez Ave. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-4702

La Mirada Park: 13701 South Adelfa Ave. La Mirada, 90638 | (562) 902-5645

Mayberry Park: 13201 East Meyer Rd, Whittier, 90605 | (562) 944-9727

Sorenson Park: 11419 Rosehedge Dr. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-7763

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Girl’s Softball League will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Softball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Softball rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will be advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates

D3 – D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
DIVISIONS 3 – 6