With the Christmas holidays almost upon us, many of us will be enjoying some freshly cooked sausages at a traditional Aussie BBQ.
Although most people understand that care must be taken when handling, storing and preparing raw meat, they can also be unsure about how to handle fresh sausages in particular.
Keep the following tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in mind to make sure you and yours enjoy your sausages in complete safety.
Choosing and Buying the Right Sausages
As is the case with other perishable items, you should make sure you choose your sausages toward the end of your grocery trip in order to make sure they spend as little time unrefrigerated as possible. Only buy sausages that come in tightly wrapped packaging that hasn’t been compromised in any way.
Also look for a label on the sausage that ensures “safe packaging”. Such labels ensure that the sausage was manufactured and handled with proper safety practices in mind. Have your grocer package your sausage separately from dry goods and produce.
Storing Your Sausages
Choose the coldest spots in your refrigerator to store your sausage and always be sure to handle it with clean, dry hands. When you buy fresh sausage, it should be used within 2 days of the purchase date. Once cooked, be sure sausages are eaten or frozen within 3-4 days.
Prepping Sausages Safely
Always wash your hands before handling your sausages and use a cutting board that is used for cutting raw meat only. If sausage is frozen, be sure it’s thoroughly defrosted before preparation. Either defrost in the fridge or on your microwave’s defrost setting. Never allow meat to thaw on the counter.
Always be sure to thoroughly cook sausages as you would any other meat. If necessary use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat has reached an internal temperature of 63 degrees Celsius. Always refrigerate cooked sausages within two hours.
