Health Tip: Stuff Your Turkey Safely

(HealthDay News) — Make sure everyone has a good time during and after your Thanksgiving meal by taking steps to prepare all that food properly.

The University of Illinois Extension offers these holiday suggestions:

Stuff the turkey just before you plan to start cooking it.
Mix the ingredients, wash the cavity of the turkey, and lightly stuff inside.
Chop and prepare dry ingredients ahead of time, but add any moist ingredients just before cooking the turkey.
Prepare about 1/2 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey. Since stuffing will expand as it cooks, don’t overstuff. Cook any extras in a separate pan.
Make sure stuffing is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Stuffing often contains eggs and other ingredients that can be harmful if undercooked.
Before you carve the turkey, remove the stuffing.
Make sure leftovers are refrigerated within two hours of serving, are reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and are eaten within two days.