Consumer Steps to Safer Seafood

Here's what you can do when it's your turn to take charge of food safety: When Choosing Seafood: ◆ Buy only from reputable sources. Be wary, for example, of vendors selling fish out of the back of their pick-up trucks. ◆ Buy only fresh seafood that is refrigerated or properly iced. ◆ Don't buy cooked seafood, such as shrimp, crabs or smoked fish if displayed in the same case as raw fish. Cross-contamination can occur. ◆ Don't buy frozen seafood if the packages are open, torn or crushed on the edges. Avoid packages that are above the frost line in the store's freezer. If the package cover is transparent, look for signs of frost or ice crystals. This could mean that the fish has either been stored for a long time or thawed and refrozen. ◆ Put seafood on ice, in the refrigerator or in the freezer, immediately after buying it. Storing: ◆ If seafood will be used within two days after purchase, store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually under the freezer compartment or in a special "meat keeper." Avoid packing it in tightly with other items; allow air to circulate freely around the package. Otherwise, wrap the food tightly in moisture-proof freezer paper or foil to protect it from air leaks and store in the freezer. ◆ Discard shellfish, such as lobsters, crabs, oysters, clams, and mussels, if they die during storage or if their shells crack or break. Live shellfish close up when the shell is tapped. Preparing: ◆ Wash hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before and after handling any raw food. ◆ Thaw frozen seafood in the refrigerator. Gradual defrosting overnight is best because it helps maintain quality. If you must thaw seafood quickly, seal it in a plastic bag and immerse in cold water for about an hour, or microwave on the "defrost" setting if the food is to be cooked immediately. Stop the defrost cycle while the fish is still icy but pliable. ◆ Marinate seafood in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Discard the marinade after use because it contains raw juices, which may harbor bacteria. If you want to use the marinade as a dip or sauce, reserve a portion before adding raw food. ◆ Do not allow cooked seafood to come in contact with raw products. Use separate cutting boards and utensils or wash items completely between use. Cooking: ◆ It's always best to cook seafood. It's a must for at-risk people. The Food and Drug Administration's 1997 Food Code recommends cooking most seafood to an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C) for 15 seconds. ◆ If you don't have a thermometer, there are other ways to determine whether seafood is done: ◆ For fish, slip the point of a sharp knife into the flesh and pull aside. The edges should be opaque and the center slightly translucent with flakes beginning to separate. Let the fish stand three to four minutes to finish cooking. ◆ For shrimp, lobster and scallops, check color. Shrimp and lobster turn red and the flesh becomes pearly opaque. Scallops turn milky white or opaque and firm. ◆ For clams, mussels and oysters, watch for the point at which their shells open. That means they're done. Throw out those that stay closed. ◆ When using the microwave, rotate the dish several times to ensure even cooking. Follow recommended standing times. After the standing time is completed, check the seafood in several spots with a meat thermometer to be sure the product has reached the proper temperature. Serving: ◆ Keep hot foods hot (140 F [60 C]) or higher and cold foods cold (41 F [5 C]) or lower. ◆Do not keep cooked seafood unrefrigera- ted or unfrozen for more than two hours.