As millions of Americans prepare, cook, and serve Thanksgiving meals to friends and family today, the Marion County Public Health Department would like to remind residents of proper food safety when it comes to making that Thanksgiving meal. According to the USDA, rinsing your turkey, whether fresh or frozen, will not get rid of unwanted bacteria. Nurse Judi Van Hulzen with Marion County Public Health agrees with the USDA and says the only way to get rid of the bacteria is to cook the turkey. Van Hulzen says the biggest health problems that come from Thanksgiving meals is when leftover food sits out for too long before being stored in the refrigerator. She says the longest food can sit out is two hours because bacteria can grow in cooked food at room temperature. For more Thanksgiving food safety tips, tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville