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Resources for people in need of Help/Food

Source © City of Ottawa

The City of Ottawa is partnering with community agencies to connect residents to resources, services, programs, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check back often for more updates. 

Types of food programs available

  • Some have a cost ($) and many have subsidies
  • Agencies working together for food delivery and food pick up

Champlain Community Support Network

Contact number: Web only
Location served: Ottawa region and rural wards
Services offered: Grocery delivery and meals for seniors/adults with disabilities; pharmacy delivery, transportation to medical appointments, wellness phone visits are also available

Use communitysupport.covidresponse.ca

Ottawa Food Bank (OFB)

Contact number: 613-745-7001
Location served: Ottawa region, urban, suburban and rural areas
Services offered: Central food bank information

Call 613-745-7001 (8 am to 4 pm) or use ottawafoodbank.ca

  • Use the look up tool at ottawafoodbank.ca/get-help to find food bank nearest you, hours of operation, directions and phone number.
  • Food deliveries are available for residents who are food insecure and cannot leave their homes. Call 613-745-7001 to request delivery.

Barrhaven Food Cupboard

Contact number: 613-825-4505
Location served: Barrhaven
Services offered: Food pick up

Call 613-825-4505 or email info@barrhavenfoodcupboard.ca

  • Provides emergency food assistance.
  • 100 Malvern Drive, Nepean (inside the Walter Baker Centre)
  • Web: barrhavenfoodcupboard.ca

Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC)

Contact number: 613-741-6025
Location served: Gloucester, Cumberland, Orleans, Carlsbad Springs, Vars, Sarsfield, and South-East communities
Services offered: Food pick up (8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Call 613-741-6025

  • Food hamper pick up available by appointment only at 215-1980 Ogilvie Road, Gloucester.

FAMSAC Food Cupboard

Contact number: 613-820-5428
Location served: Bayshore, Bells Corners, Crystal Beach, Craig Henry, Manordale, and Trend Village
Services offered: Emergency food pick up

Call 613-820-5428

  • Provides emergency food assistance by appointment only.
  • Leave name, number of people needing food and contact information.

Good Companions

Contact number: 613-236-0428
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Grocery and frozen meal delivery

Call 613-236-0428 or email info@thegoodcompanions.ca

Good Food Box Ottawa

Contact number: Web only
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food box delivery

Email ottawagoodfoodbox@crcrr.org or visit ottawagoodfoodbox.ca

  • Providing fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable cost.
  • Temporary home delivery to Ottawa households who currently have limited financial and physical access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families

Contact number: 613-744-3133 ext. 242
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food gift card pick up

Call 613-744-3133 ext. 242 or email info@inuuqatigiit.ca
Web: inuuqatigiit.ca

Kanata Food Cupboard

Contact number: 613-836-7847
Location served: Kanata
Services offered: Food container pick up (Monday to Friday from 9 am to noon)

Call 613-836-7847 or use kanatafoodcupboard.ca 

Call the Client Appointment Line to schedule an appointment.

Meals on Wheels

Contact number: 613-233-2424
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Frozen meal delivery and hot meal delivery

Frozen meal delivery, once per week (Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Fridays from 8:30 am to 3 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 1:30 pm).

  • Delivering food to seniors, people with disabilities and people convalescing at home. Affordable for those on a fixed income.
  • Frozen meals delivered on Tuesdays in the west part of catchment area and Fridays in the east/south part of catchment area.

Hot meal delivery (Monday to Saturday).

  • Hot meal delivery to clients who are unable to heat up frozen meals.
  • Affordable for those on a fixed income.

Call 613-233-2424 or use mealsonwheels-ottawa.org or email service@mealsonwheels-ottawa.org

Montfort Renaissance

Contact number: 613-241-1266 ext. 457
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Frozen meal delivery (Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm) and other basic food delivered to Francophone seniors homes

Call 613-241-1266 ext. 457 or email reception-csg@mri.ca 

Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre

Contact Number: 613-596-5626
Location Served: Nepean, Greely, Metcalfe, Manotick, Malakoff
Services Offered: Free hampers and gift cards

Free hampers: Free hamper delivery to seniors and adults with disabilities on Thursdays.

Gift cards: Free grocery gift cards to anyone else in need; available for pick up by appointment only weekday afternoons.

Call 613-596-5626 or visit nrocrc.org

Odawa Native Friendship Centre

Contact number: 613-722-3811
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food container pick up

Call 613-722-3811 or visit odawa.on.ca

  • Food and outreach to existing clients.
  • Elder support is also available.
  • Food boxes are available at 510 Rideau Street.

Olde Forge Community Resource Centre

Contact number: 613-829-9777
Location served: West end Ottawa
Services offered: Free grocery delivery and transportation to shopping for seniors and adults with disabilities

Call 613-829-9777 or visit oldeforge.ca (English only)

  • Limited free food hampers and/or referral to this service.
  • Services available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Food hampers and free delivery available until June 30.

Operation Ramzieh

Contact number: 1-800-321-5973
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food hamper delivery to seniors and others who cannot leave their homes

Call 1-800-321-5973 or use order form at operationramzieh.org

Orleans Cumberland Community Resource Centre (CRC)

Contact number: 613-830-4357 ext. 158
Location served: Orleans-Cumberland and surrounding areas
Services offered: Food pick up (Monday to Friday)

Call 613-830-4357 ext. 158

  • Food hamper pick up available by appointment only at 240 Centrum Boulevard.

Ottawa West Community Support

Contact number: 613-728-6016
Location served: Ottawa West
Services offered: Grocery box delivery to seniors who do not have access to groceries, twice per week (Monday and Thursday)

Call 613-728-6016 or use owcs.ca or email info@owcs.ca or use communitysupport.covidresponse.ca

PAND Settlement Services

Contact number: 613-897-3172
Location served: Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa Region
Services offered: Free delivery of food, grocery and pharmacy

Visit pandsettlement.ca or email info@pandsettlement.ca 

  • For isolated seniors, persons with a disability and vulnerable people of any culture, or community with no age restriction.
  • Groceries will be purchased on behalf of clients who request service, clients will be provided with receipts and then can complete an e- transfer to pay for their orders.
  • Delivery on weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm; weekends from 11 am to 1 pm.

Richmond Food Cupboard

Contact number: 613-838-5397
Location served: Richmond, Munster and surrounding rural area
Services offered: Food pick up

Call 613-838-5397

  • Food hamper pick up by appointment only.

Rural Ottawa Support Services

Contact number: 613-692-4697 ext. 241
Location served: Osgoode and Rideau rural wards
Services offered: Free grocery delivery for people 55+ or persons with a disability

Call 613-692-4697 ext. 241
Web: rosss.ca

Stittsville Food Bank

Contact number: 613-831-0451
Location served: Stittsville and surrounding rural areas
Services offered: Food pick up

Call 613-831-0451 or visit stittsvillefoodbank.ca

  • Food hamper pick up available by appointment only.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit

Contact number: 613-857-1709
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food box pick up (9 am to 4 pm)​​​​

Call 613-857-1709 (Paulina)

  • Food boxes are available for existing clients, contact your TI worker for details or contact Paulina.
  • Web: tungasuvvingatinuit.ca

United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMOOG) supported by Muslim Family Services of Ottawa (MFSO)

Contact number: 613-686-3922
Location served: Ottawa-Gatineau region
Services offered: Food and supplies delivery

Complete Ottawa-Gatineau COVID-19 Relief Form

  • For isolated or vulnerable people of any faith, culture, or community in need.
  • If you are having difficulty filling out the form, please call 613-686-3922.
  • To speak directly to a representative, contact Malika Nouh at 819-576-4966 or Lubna Syed at 613-255-0870.

West Carleton Food Access Centre

Contact number: 613-832-5685
Location served: West Carleton: Dunrobin, Carp, Kinburn, Contance Bay, Woodlawn, Fitzroy, Galetta
Services offered: Food pick up

Call 613-832-5685 or visit deeprootsfoodhub.ca/food-access-centre.html

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

Contact number: 613-591-3686
Location served: Nepean, Kanata, Goulburn and West Carleton
Services offered: Frozen meal delivery and grocery order delivery

Frozen meal delivery (twice per week Monday and Thursday)

  • Orders must be in by Friday at 12 pm for Monday delivery, Monday at 12 pm for Wednesday delivery.
  • This service is available to any vulnerable, isolated community members (no age restrictions). There is a fee associated with the cost of the meals; subsidies are available.
  • Call 613-591-3686 ext. 333 or use communitysupport.covidresponse.ca

Grocery order delivery (once per week on Monday)

  • Orders must be in by Thursday at noon for the following week.
  • This service is available to any vulnerable, isolated community members (no age restrictions).
  • Grocery delivery priority will be given to community members living in West Carleton. Delivery will be limited to 30 households/week. Payment is made directly to the store for the grocery order; subsidies are available.
  • Call 613-591-3686 ext. 336 or email css@wocrc.ca

Human Needs Task Force contact information

HNTF@ottawa.ca | 613-580-2424 ext. 26753

Food resources for isolated seniors

The information and resources below are provided by community agencies working to ensure residents in Ottawa have access to food during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Call 2-1-1 for information on the full range of community, social, government and health services and programs available in Ottawa, and how to access them.

Types of food programs available

  • Some have a cost ($) and many have subsidies.
  • Agencies working together for food delivery and food pick up.

Champlain Community Support Network

Contact number: Web only
Location served: Ottawa region and rural wards
Services offered: Grocery delivery and meals for seniors/adults with disabilities; pharmacy delivery, transportation to medical appointments, and wellness phone visits are also available.

Use communitysupport.covidresponse.ca

Good Companions

Contact number: 613-236-0428
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Grocery and frozen meal delivery to seniors in our community

Call 613-236-0428 or email info@thegoodcompanions.ca
Web: thegoodcompanions.ca

Meals on Wheels

Contact number: 613-233-2424
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Frozen meal delivery and hot meal delivery

Frozen meal delivery once per week (Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Fridays from 8:30 am to 3 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 1:30 pm)

  • Delivering food to seniors, people with disabilities and people convalescing at home. Affordable for those on a fixed income.
  • Frozen meals delivered on Tuesdays in the west part of catchment area and Fridays in the east/south part of catchment area.

Hot meal delivery (Monday to Saturday)

  • Hot meal delivery to clients who are unable to heat up frozen meals.
  • Affordable for those on a fixed income.

Call 613-233-2424 or use mealsonwheels-ottawa.org or email service@mealsonwheels-ottawa.org

Montfort Renaissance

Contact number: 613-241-1266 ext. 457
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Frozen meal delivery (Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 4 pm) and other basic food delivered to Francophone seniors homes

Call 613-241-1266 ext. 457 or email reception-csg@mri.ca
Web: montfortrenaissance.ca

Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre

Contact number: 613-596-5626
Location served: Nepean, Greely, Metcalfe, Manotick, Malakoff
Services offered: Free hampers an gift cards

Call 613-596-5626 or visit nrocrc.org 

  • Free hamper delivery to seniors and adults with disabilities on Thursdays.
  • Free grocery gift cards to anyone else in need; available for pick up by appointment only weekday afternoons.

Odawa Native Friendship Centre

Contact number: 613-722-3811
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food container pick up

  • Food and outreach to existing clients; elder support is also available.
  • Food boxes are available at 510 Rideau Street.

Call 613-722-3811
Web: odawa.on.ca

Olde Forge Community Resource Centre

Contact number: 613-829-9777
Location served: West end Ottawa
Services offered: Free grocery delivery and transportation to shopping for seniors and adults with disabilities

Call 613-829-9777 or visit oldeforge.ca (English only)

  • Limited free food hampers and/or referral to this service.
  • Services available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
  • Food hampers and free delivery available until June 30.

Operation Ramzieh

Contact number: 1-800-321-5973
Location served: Ottawa region
Services offered: Food hamper delivery to seniors and others who cannot leave their homes

Call 1-800-321-5973 or use order form at operationramzieh.org

Ottawa West Community Support

Contact number: 613-728-6016
Location served: Ottawa West
Services offered: Grocery box delivery, twice per week (Monday and Thursday); delivery to seniors who do not have access to groceries.

Call 613-728-6016 or use owcs.ca or email info@owcs.ca or use communitysupport.covidresponse.ca

PAND Settlement Services

Contact number: 613-897-3172
Location served: Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa Region
Services offered: Free delivery of food, grocery and pharmacy

Visit pandsettlement.ca or email info@pandsettlement.ca

  • For isolated seniors, persons with a disability and vulnerable people of any culture, or community with no age restriction.
  • Groceries will be purchased on behalf of clients who request service, clients will be provided with receipts and then can complete an e- transfer to pay for their orders.
  • Delivery on weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm; weekends from 11 am to 1 pm

Contact information for Human Needs Task Force

HNTF@ottawa.ca | 613-580-2424 ext. 26753

Emergency pet food bank

The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) started an emergency pet food bank to support pet owners during COVID-19. Visit ottawahumane.ca/covid-19 to get an appointment. The Pet Pantry drive-thru is open Thursday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm at 245 West Hunt Club Road. Visit the OHS’s website for information about other community pet resources as part of their emergency plan.

Know who to call for help (9-1-1, 3-1-1 or 2-1-1)

Text + chat line support for violence and abuse

Unsafe at Home Ottawa is a new text and chat support line for women who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home during COVID-19. Counsellors can provide emotional support, practical advice and referrals. Text 613-704-5535 or chat online at unsafeathomeottawa.ca. For more information, visit crimepreventionottawa.ca.

Protecting your mental health

The COVID-19 situation can be stressful for many of us including older people with mobility issues, and those over 70 who are told to self-isolate. Here are resources and things we can do to stay mentally well during these difficult times.

Community gardens

Community Gardens in Ottawa are starting to re-open.

Community gardens play a key role in providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Ottawa residents during the growing season. These are an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To support the health and safety of residents, each garden must:

  • Follow the recommendations outlined by Ottawa Public Health
  • Receive approval from Just Food
  • Sign a Coordinator agreement, and
  • Implement a garden operational plan.

To support the health and safety of residents, each garden must follow the recommendations outlined by Ottawa Public Health, sign a Coordinator agreement, and maintain a garden operation plan.

Visit Ottawa Public Health for recommendations on how gardeners can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Kilborn Allotment Gardens

Information relating to the City-run Kilborn Allotment Gardens will be shared with the Garden Coordinators of this location through City staff. Community members may also get information from Just Food Ottawa.

For questions about community gardens, contact the Community Gardening Network Coordinator at Just Food (Sun Shan) at 613 824 7771 or by email at communitygardening@justfood.ca.

Weather, 31 January
Ottawa Weather booked.net
-13

High: -3° Low: -13°

Humidity: 68%

Wind: SSE - 7 KPH

NEWS FEEDS

CFIA

On this page

Follow safe food handling and cooking practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning. Learn how to make safer food choices if you're at higher risk for food poisoning.

About food poisoning

Food poisoning is caused by eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Food can become contaminated by these microorganisms at any time before you eat it, including at home, during:

  • storing
  • preparing
  • cooking

There are many signs of food poisoning, but most types cause:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • fever and chills
  • stomach pain and cramps

Symptoms can start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or sometimes not until days or even weeks later. Usually, people recover quickly and completely. However, food poisoning sometimes causes serious complications, such as kidney disease. In some cases, it could even lead to death.

Four quick tips to prevent food poisoning

  • Clean: Wash your hands and surfaces often with warm, soapy water.
  • Separate: Make sure to separate your raw foods, such as meat and eggs, from cooked foods and vegetables.
  • Cook: Always cook food to the safe internal temperature. You can check this by using a digital food thermometer.
  • Chill: Always refrigerate food and leftovers promptly at 4°C or below.

Who is most at risk of food poisoning

Food safety is important to everyone. However, some people are at an increased risk for food poisoning. Those at increased risk of food poisoning include:

  • people who are pregnant
  • children ages 5 and under
  • people with weakened immune systems
  • adults aged 60 and over

People who are pregnant

During pregnancy, both you and your unborn baby are at an increased risk for food poisoning because of all the changes taking place in your body. Your immune system is weakened, so it could be harder for you to fight off infections.

Some bacteria, such as Listeria, can go through the placenta. If you become sick, there's an increased risk that your baby could get infected. Your unborn baby's immune system isn't developed enough to fight off harmful bacteria.

Food poisoning can be even more dangerous to your baby's health than to yours. If you develop food poisoning during the first 3 months of pregnancy, it can cause a miscarriage. It if happens later in the pregnancy, it can cause your baby to be born prematurely. Food poisoning can also cause a stillbirth or a baby who is born very ill. Because your baby depends on you for everything it needs, it's important that you're careful about what you eat and how you store, prepare and cook your food.

Children ages 5 and under

Children ages 5 and under are at an increased risk of food poisoning and related health complications. This is because their immune systems are still developing and they can't fight off infection as well as adults can. Young children also produce less of the stomach acid that kills harmful bacteria. This makes it easier for them to get food poisoning.

Food poisoning can also lead to complications that result in serious illnesses requiring hospitalization. Some of these complications are:

  • dehydration: children's bodies are small and they can quickly lose a lot of body fluid
  • hemolytic uremic syndrome: a type of kidney failure and blood disorder that can be fatal. To prevent this illness, it's important to cook ground beef to 71°C (160°F) and to serve them pasteurized juice.
  • infant botulism: a condition which can cause temporary paralysis in babies. To prevent this illness, don't give honey to a baby who is under 1 year old.

People with weakened immune systems

If your immune system is weak, it can be harder for your body to fight disease. You're more likely than the general population to get food poisoning, and to have serious health effects as a result.

Some examples of conditions that can weaken your immune system are:

  • diabetes
  • HIV/AIDS
  • alcoholism
  • organ transplant
  • cancer, especially for people getting chemotherapy or radiation treatments

You'll also have lower immunity levels than usual if you're taking high doses of drugs, such as steroids or immune suppressants.

If you have any conditions that can affect your immune system, talk to your doctor about your increased risk of food poisoning. If you're at increased risk, it's important that you're careful about what you eat and how you store, prepare and cook your food.

Adults ages 60 and over

As you age, it becomes harder for your immune system to protect you from food poisoning. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease, can make it even more difficult to fight off infections.

While most people affected by food poisoning can recover completely, serious longer-term health effects are more common in older adults. This includes conditions such as kidney failure and anaemia.

It is very important for older adults, and people who prepare food for older adults, to follow safe food handling and cooking practices.

Safer food choices for people most at risk of food poisoning

Safer food choices.

Pregnant

Ages 5 and under

weakened immune systems

Ages 60 and over

Safer food choices for people who are pregnant

Some types of food can be a higher risk for people who are pregnant. You can lower your chances of getting food poisoning by using this information to help you make safer food choices.

Hot dogs to avoid

Hot dogs straight from the package, without further heating

Safer alternatives

Hot dogs that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature.

The middle of the hot dog should be steaming hot or 74°C (165°F).

Tip: Avoid spreading juice from hot dog packages onto other food, or to cutting boards, utensils, dishes and counters.

Wash your hands after touching hot dogs.

Deli meats to avoid

Non-dried deli meats, such as bologna, roast beef and turkey breast

Safer alternatives

Dried and salted deli meats, such as salami and pepperoni

Non-dried deli meats that are well heated and steaming hot

Eggs and egg products to avoid

Raw or lightly cooked eggs, or egg products that contain raw eggs, including some salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces, and drinks like homemade eggnog

Safer alternatives

Egg dishes that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)

Cook eggs until the yolk is firm.

Homemade eggnog heated to 71°C (160°F)

Tip: Use pasteurized egg products when making uncooked food that calls for raw eggs.

Meat and poultry to avoid

Raw or undercooked meat or poultry, such as steak tartar

Safer alternatives

Meat and poultry that are cooked to their safe internal temperature

Tip: Refer to the cooking temperatures chart.

Seafood to avoid

Raw seafood, such as sushi

Seafood cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)

Raw oysters, clams and mussels

Safer alternatives

Oysters, clams and mussels that are cooked until the shell has opened

Refrigerated smoked seafood

Smoked seafood in cans, or seafood that doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's opened.

Dairy products to avoid

Raw or unpasteurized dairy products

Unpasteurized and pasteurized soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert

Unpasteurized and pasteurized semi-soft cheeses, such as Havarti

Pasteurized cheeses such as cheese curds, cheddar and cottage cheese

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized dairy products and any dairy products that are cooked, in a casserole or au gratin

Pasteurized processed or spreadable cheeses such as cream cheese

All unpasteurized and pasteurized blue-veined cheeses

Pasteurized and unpasteurized hard cheeses such as Romano and Parmesan

Sprouts to avoid

Raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung beans

Safer alternatives

Thoroughly cooked sprouts

Påtés and meat spreads to avoid

Refrigerated Påtés and meat spreads

Påtés and meat spreads sold in cans, or that don't have to be refrigerated until they're opened

Fruit juice and cider to avoid

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer alternatives

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider that are brought to a rolling boil and cooled

Pasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer food choices for children ages 5 and under

Some types of food can be a higher risk for children aged 5 and under. You can lower your child's chances of getting food poisoning by using this information to help you make safer food choices for your child.

Dairy products to avoid

Raw or unpasteurized milk

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized milk

Honey

Giving honey in any form to an infant under 1 year old could cause infant botulism.

Safer alternatives

Wait until your child is over 1 year old.

Eggs and egg products to avoid

Raw or lightly cooked eggs, or egg products that contain raw eggs, including some salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces and drinks like homemade eggnog

Safer alternatives

\

Egg dishes that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Cook eggs until the yolk is firm.

Heat homemade eggnog to 71°C (160°F).

Safer alternatives

Tip: Use pasteurized egg products when making uncooked food that calls for raw eggs.

\

Meat and poultry to avoid

\

Raw or undercooked meat or poultry, such as steak tartare

Safer alternatives

Meat and poultry that are cooked to their safe internal temperature.

Tip: Refer to the cooking temperatures chart.

Seafood to avoid

Raw oysters, clams and mussels

Raw seafood, such as sushi

Safer alternatives

Oysters, clams and mussels that are cooked until the shell has opened

Seafood cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)

Sprouts to avoid

Raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans

Safer alternatives

Thoroughly cooked sprouts

Fruit juice and cider to avoid

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer alternatives

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider that are brought to a rolling boil and cooled

Pasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer food choices for people with weakened immune systems

Some types of food can be a higher risk for people with a weakened immune system. You can lower your chances of getting food poisoning by using this information to help you make safer food choices.

Hot dogs to avoid

Hot dogs straight from the package, without further heating

Safer alternatives

Hot dogs that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature.

The middle of the hot dog should be steaming hot or 74°C (165°F).

Tip: Avoid spreading juice from hot dog packages onto other food, or to cutting boards, utensils, dishes and counters.

Wash your hands after touching hot dogs.

Deli meats to avoid

Non-dried deli meats, such as bologna, roast beef and turkey breast

Safer alternatives

Dried and salted deli meats, such as salami and pepperoni

Non-dried deli meats that are heated until steaming hot

Eggs and egg products to avoid

Raw or lightly cooked eggs, or egg products that contain raw eggs, including some salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces, and drinks like homemade eggnog

Safer alternatives

Egg dishes that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Cook eggs until the yolk is firm.

Homemade eggnog heated to 71°C (160°F).

Safer alternatives

Tip: Use pasteurized egg products when making uncooked food that calls for raw eggs.

Meat and poultry to avoid

Raw or undercooked meat or poultry, such as steak tartar

Safer alternatives

Meat and poultry that are cooked to their safe internal temperature.

Tip: Refer to the cooking temperatures chart.

Seafood to avoid

Raw seafood, such as sushi

Raw oysters, clams and mussels

Safer alternatives

Seafood cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)

Oysters, clams and mussels that are cooked until the shell has opened

Avoid Refrigerated, smoked seafood

Safer alternatives

Smoked seafood in cans, or seafood that doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's opened

Dairy products to avoid

Raw or unpasteurized dairy products

Unpasteurized and pasteurized soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert

Unpasteurized and pasteurized semi-soft cheeses, such as Havarti

All unpasteurized and pasteurized blue-veined cheeses

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized dairy products and any dairy products that are cooked, in a casserole or au gratin

Pasteurized cheeses such as cheese curds, cheddar and cottage cheese

Pasteurized processed or spreadable cheeses such as cream cheese

Pasteurized and unpasteurized hard cheeses such as like Romano and Parmesan

Sprouts to avoid

Raw sprouts such as alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans

Safer alternatives

Thoroughly cooked sprouts.

Påtés and meat spreads to avoid

Refrigerated Påtés and meat spreads

Safer alternatives

Påtés and meat spreads sold in cans, or that don't have to be refrigerated until they're opened

Fruit juice and cider to avoid

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider that are brought to a rolling boil and cooled

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer food choices for adults ages 60 and over

Some types of food can be a higher risk for older adults. You can lower your chances of getting food poisoning by using this informationto help you make safer food choices.

Hot dogs to avoid

Hot dogs straight from the package, without further heating

Safer alternatives

Hot dogs that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature.

The middle of the hot dog should be steaming hot or 74°C (165°F).

Tip: Avoid spreading juice from hot dog packages onto other food, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and counters.

Wash your hands after touching hot dogs.

Deli meats to avoid

Non-dried deli meats, such as bologna, roast beef and turkey breast

Safer alternatives

Dried and salted deli meats, such as salami and pepperoni

Non-dried deli meats that are heated until steaming hot

Eggs and egg products to avoid

Raw or lightly cooked eggs, or egg products that contain raw eggs, including some salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces and drinks like homemade eggnog

Safer alternatives

Egg dishes that are well cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Cook eggs until the yolk is firm.

Homemade eggnog heated to 71°C (160°F).

Tip: Use pasteurized egg products when making uncooked food that calls for raw eggs.

Meat and poultry to avoid

Raw or undercooked meat or poultry, such as steak tartar

Safer alternatives

Meat and poultry that are cooked to their safe internal temperature.

Tip: Refer to the cooking temperatures chart.

Seafood to avoid

Raw seafood, such as sushi

Raw oysters, clams and mussels

Safer alternatives

Seafood cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F)

Oysters, clams and170 Booth Street mussels that are cooked until the shell has opened

Avoid Refrigerated, smoked seafood

Safer alternatives

Smoked seafood in cans, or seafood that doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's opened

Dairy products to avoid

Raw or unpasteurized dairy products

Unpasteurized and pasteurized soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert

All unpasteurized and pasteurized blue-veined cheeses

Unpasteurized semi-soft cheeses, such as Havarti

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized dairy products and any dairy products that are cooked, in a casserole or au gratin

Pasteurized cheeses such as cheese curds, cheddar and cottage cheese

Pasteurized semi-soft cheese such as Havarti and pasteurized processed or spreadable cheeses such as cream cheese

Pasteurized and unpasteurized hard cheeses such as Romano and Parmesan

Sprouts to avoid

Raw sprouts such as alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans

Safer alternatives

Thoroughly cooked sprouts

Påtés and meat spreads to avoid

Refrigerated Påtés and meat spreads

Safer alternatives

Påtés and meat spreads sold in cans, or that don't have to be refrigerated until they're opened

Fruit juice and cider to avoid

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider

Safer alternatives

Unpasteurized fruit juice and cider that are brought to a rolling boil and cooled

Safer alternatives

Pasteurized fruit juice and cider

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