The simple fact is most food-borne illnesses can be avoided by applying common sense at every meal and snack break. This video illustrates how to shop for the freshest foods, store them wisely, and prepare them correctly. Topics include signs of freshness and contamination; proper storage in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry; ways to safely thaw frozen foods; how to avoid cross contamination; the optimal temperatures for cooking meats and poultry; and the right way to store and reheat leftovers. "use by" and "sell by" dates and what they mean to consumers are also addressed.