"Lean" beef, especially ground beef can be confusing. Remember even if it says it's 80% lean, this still means that it is 20% fat by weight and that this fat makes up more than two thirds of its calories. The truth is that meat is often contaminated with bacteria but it is up to you to look at the small print to figure out how to handle it. The small print will come with icons such as a "refrigerator" (keep refrigerated) or a "faucet" keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods, "thermometer" refrigerate leftovers or discard. Cook thoroughly. All of these labels can be boiled down to: chill, clean, separate, cook.
February is American Heart Month, and we will hear all month about heart-healthy habits, diets, and lifestyle. But the focus of this article is to highlight how you, as a bystander, can save a life, easily, and without risk.
