Knox County Health Department is currently updating its Web site to better serve you. We have reorganized the site to what we feel is a more user-friendly way and are planning to add more information on our many programs and services. If you have problems finding information you need, please e-mail us at health@knoxcounty.org or call Ranee Randby directly at 215-5534.
Picnic Safety Tips
Enjoying a picnic outdoors is a great way to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. To prevent a food borne illness, keep these food safety tips in mind.
Wash your hands before handling food. Pack a bottle of hand sanitizer or antibacterial moist towelettes if the picnic site does not have hand washing facilities.- Keep cold foods cold. Pack cold food products in coolers with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs to keep your food at 40 degrees or colder to prevent bacterial growth.
- Keep hot foods hot —140 degrees or hotter prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Wrap hot foods in towels, then newspapers, and place inside a box to transport to your picnic.
- Put all perishable food back in the cooler after eating. No more than two hour is normally the rule for leaving perishable food un-refrigerated. For picnics in hot weather, one hour without refrigeration is the maximum. The best rule to remember is: When in doubt, throw it out.
- Keep melons out of the “Danger Zone.” If not properly handled, melons (i.e. watermelon, cantaloupe) can cause food borne illness. Harmful bacterial are often present on the rind. Wash all melons thoroughly before cutting and refrigerate cut pieces promptly. Melons must be kept chilled after slicing.
Keep drinks in a separate cooler from cold food because it will be opened more often, increasing the chance of getting too warm to safely hold food.
Knox County Health Department’s
Employee Recognition Program
Congratulations to Vera Polite, Loretta Coleman and Cynthia Jones of KCHD’s Social Services Department., and Trina Gallman from the Community Health/Community Development and Planning Department, who each received “The Essential Piece” Award at the May 1 employee in-service...more>>
Pictured left to right:
Mark Miller, deputy director, Loretta Coleman, Cynthia Jones and Vera Polite of Social Services, Trina Gallman of Community Development and Planning, and Dr. Martha Buchanan, public health officer.
The Next Free Cooking Seminar is scheduled for
Aug. 27
Knox County Health Department is offering a series of quarterly cooking demonstrations titled “Change Your Diet, Change Your Life.” The focus will be on creating dishes to fit a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste. Anyone interested in preparing and eating fresh, affordable, nutritious food that tastes good is welcome to attend. The next seminar showcases whole grains and label reading and will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m., in the KCHD auditorium at 140 Dameron Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. Please call 215-5170 to reserve your space. Click here for flyer
