Who is BAC?

Right now, there may be an invisible enemy ready to strike. He's called BAC (bacteria). Even though you can't see BAC—or smell him, or feel him—he and millions more like him may have already invaded the food you eat.

Bacteria can give you and the children you care for foodborne illness. Foodborne illness can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even death.

But you have the power to Fight BAC!^® and to keep your food safe from harmful bacteria. It's as easy as following these four simple steps:

1. Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.
   Bacteria can spread through the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, dishcloths, and counter tops. It's important to keep hands and kitchen surfaces clean.
2. Separate: Don't cross-contaminate.
   Cross-contamination is the scientific term for bacteria spreading from one food product to another. It is a concern when handling raw meat, raw poultry, and raw seafood.
3. Cook: Cook to proper temperatures.
   Food safety experts agree that foods must be heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly.
   Refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures keep harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying.

View the short video clip about the four Fight BAC!^® concepts.