The Arizona Department of Health Services is notifying the public to take caution to prevent food borne illness this holiday weekend.

Consumers should keep the following food safety guidelines in mind:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling any food product
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before preparing
• Keep two cutting boards close by - one for preparing raw meats and the other cutting cooked food and preparing ready-to-eat foods like salads. After using utensils or cutting boards for raw food preparation or handling, thoroughly wash these items before using them for the preparation or handling of other food
• Always cook ground beef to 160 degrees. Test the meat by putting a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat - cooking by checking the color of the meat is not enough
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold
• Never leave perishable food out of the refrigerator for more than two hours
• Use clean dishes and utensils to serve food
• Serve grilled food on a clean plate – not the same one that held raw meat, poultry or fish
• Refrigerate any leftovers promptly, discard any food left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 90°F)

It is also important to note the expansion of the latest beef recall. Kroger is expanding the recall to include ground beef products wrapped in clear cellophane or purchased from an in-store service counter from Fry’s stores with "sell by" dates from May 21-July 3. Kroger is also recalling Private Selection Natural ground beef sold in 16 oz. packages that were in the self-service meat case. The "sell by" dates for this product are July 11 through July 21, 2008. The product was available at all Kroger stores including Fry’s. The product may be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7 and, if eaten could result in severe illness to those individuals with a weakened immune system.

Kroger is asking customers to carefully check the ground beef they have at home in their refrigerators and freezers. If they have any products covered in this recall, they should return the product to a store for a full refund or replacement.

For more information about food safety call the ADHS Office of Environmental Health at 602-364-3118 or visit  www.fsis.usda.gov.