MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With the holiday season officially here, many will enjoy traditional meals with friends and family but there are simple steps to prevent foodborne illnesses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clostridium Perfringens is one of the top five foodborne illnesses, which is also responsible for one million cases each year.

The National Safety Council suggest to always keeping your food refrigerated and covered until it is ready to be prepared and eaten. Clean and sanitize all surfaces, knives, and utensils (including hands) after working with raw meats, poultry and seafood before handling vegetables, grains, and prepared foods.

Cross contamination is one of the most common ways food borne illnesses can spread.

The National Safety Council also recommends that once you are done cooking to get uneaten food down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below within two hours. Large meats or soups might not cool down quickly enough even in the refrigerator or freezer, so it’s best to divide the food into smaller portions.

165 degrees Fahrenheit is the safest number to reheat everything for safety purposes.