Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and people are already beginning to prepare for this special holiday. Cooks with food safety concerns can find useful information in a University of Maine Cooperative Extension fact sheet, Turkey Guide for a Safe Thanksgiving, prepared by Mahmoud El-Begearmi, Extension Food Safety and Nutrition Specialist. It's especially important for people to know roasting times, how to thaw the bird and how to store leftovers.
Basic information is attached.
El-Begearmi is available for interviews. He can also provide a hands-on demonstration, complete with a turkey, on use of a meat thermometer, food handling, checking for doneness, roasting times and storing leftovers. For television, El-Begearmi can arrange to use the kitchen facilities on the University of Maine campus or come to a broadcast production studio. Buy 3-5 days ahead for safe thawing in the refrigerator. Buy ahead no more than 2-3 days.