FSM 094: Safely Cooking Convenience Food in Your Microwave

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Episode Transcription

This is Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension and this is Food Safety in a Minute.

Families are frequently choosing ready-to-heat convenience food for family dinners, often cooking in the microwave oven. Undercooking those foods may cause foodborne illness. Here are important guidelines to keep your family safe:

  • Always follow cooking instructions on the package. Some convenience foods are not meant for microwave re-heating and may call for a conventional oven.
  • Microwave cooking times may also differ as wattage varies. Most models range from 600 to 1,200 watts. Wattage equals power. Generally, microwaves have a wattage label on the door or inside it.
  • Check the label for endpoint cooking temperatures. Most require an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or above. Allow the food to stand after cooking and use a thermometer to check temperatures.

This is Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension.