'Old school' food habits could ruin meal

CHICAGO, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some old and dangerous food handling habits could cause illness this holiday season, a U.S. non-profit group warns.

The American Dietetic Association says many "old-school" home food traditions can ruin a holiday meal. It advises changing old school food habits for a new tradition, such as:

-- Old school: Thawing a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter, in the oven or under hot water in the kitchen sink. New Tradition: Thaw frozen meats in a refrigerator set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, if pressed for time, thaw a wrapped frozen turkey breast-side down in a sink filled with cold tap water -- changing the water every 30 minutes.

-- Old school: Some home cooks think it's necessary to wait until food cools before putting it in the refrigerator. New Tradition: Place cooked food in the refrigerator promptly after cooking.

-- Old school: Bringing a homemade covered dish to a holiday meal. New Tradition: Figure out how much time will pass with the dish in transit. If more than two hours, pack a cold dish in a cooler and a hot dish in an insulated bag.

-- Old school: Reheat leftover gravy. New tradition: Bring leftover gravy to a boil.