Following a disaster, raw food should be:

In the context of food safety following a disaster, both cooking food thoroughly and exercising caution about consuming raw food are critical practices. When a disaster occurs, such as flooding or a power outage, the safety and quality of food can be severely compromised. Cooking food well at the appropriatetemperature is crucial because heat effectively kills most pathogens that could have contaminated the food due to unsanitary conditions during the disaster. This step reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses that can arise from consuming raw or improperly handled food.

Additionally, avoiding raw food when possible is also prudent. Raw foods, especially those that are perishable like fruits and vegetables, can harbor harmful bacteria or viruses, particularly if they have been contaminated by floodwaters or if their storage conditions have been disrupted. If raw food cannot be assured to be clean and safe, it is best to eliminate the risk by avoiding these items altogether.

By integrating both cooking food thoroughly and avoiding raw food when possible, individuals can better safeguard their health in the aftermath of a disaster. Therefore, this approach emphasizes the importance of food safety practices in protecting against potential illness in precarious situations.