Infants and young children are more at risk of getting food poisoning and of getting sicker than an adult. Their immune systems are still developing and they are unable to fight off infections as well as adults can.

For detailed information about safe food handling and cooking, see Safe Food Handling for Children Ages 5 and Under or canada.ca/foodsafety

Prepare and Serve Food Safely

• Wash your hands before making food and during food preparation. Always wash your hands before and after you touch raw meat, poultry, fish and shellfish.
• Use clean utensils and dishes. When cooking, don’t put the tasting spoon back in the food. This keeps bacteria from your mouth from getting into the food.
• Wash your hands and the baby’s hands before each meal or snack.
• When your baby is finished eating, throw away any leftover food which is in your baby’s dish or on the high chair tray.

Store Food Safely

In the Refrigerator

• Refrigerate food after you cook it, unless you are serving it right away.
• Do not store food in the refrigerator for more than two to three days.
• Store food in a tightly covered container.

In the Freezer

• Scoop small portions of cooked food onto a freezer-safe plate or baking dish or into a clean ice cube tray. Cover and place in the freezer.
• Once the food is frozen, put in freezer bags and remove air from the bags with a straw. Seal the bags and label them with the type of food and the date it was made. Never freeze the food in glass containers unless the glass container says that it can go in the freezer.
• The food can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. After two months, your baby will likely be eating foods with more texture. You will not need to freeze a large amount of food for your baby. Never refreeze food once it has been thawed.

How do I thaw and reheat frozen food?

• There are three recommended ways:
  1. In a microwave, use a glass bowl/container. When using a microwave, the food might get hot spots. These can burn your baby’s mouth and throat. To prevent burns, stir food thoroughly to make sure that all of it is about the same temperature. Taste the food to make sure it is warm but not hot. Do not put the tasting spoon back into the food.
  2. Take the food out of its freezer container and put it in a small bowl, Place that bowl in a pan of hot water to thaw.
  3. Thaw the food in the refrigerator overnight. Never thaw your baby’s food on your kitchen counter. Bacteria may grow in the food at room temperature and make your baby sick.
• Heat only one portion at a time,
• Do not save leftovers for another meal,
• Do not refreeze food.