Health Tip: Avoid Food-Safety Mistakes

(HealthDay News) -- Do the wrong thing while you're preparing food, and you and your family could become sick.

The Foodsafety.gov website mentions these common food-safety mistakes:

• Never taste food to see if it's still good, because you may not be able to taste or smell germs. Instead, throw food out after it expires.
• Never put cooked meat on the same plate you used for raw meat.
• Never thaw food on the counter. Instead thaw in the refrigerator, microwave or cold water.
• Don't wash meat, poultry or eggs. Doing so may spread harmful bacteria.
• Always refrigerate food within two hours of cooking or eating.
• Never eat foods that contain raw eggs, such as cookie dough.
• Make sure meat, eggs, seafood or poultry are thoroughly cooked.
• Always wash your hands!