Ask Karen from USDA

Ask Karen provides 24/7 assistance and tips on preventing foodborne illness, safe food handling and storage, and safe preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products. You can get answers to your food safety questions while at the grocery store, farmers market, in your kitchen, or while at your barbecue grill.

You can also chat live with a food safety expert on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST, or email the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline number (1-888-MPHotline) to speak to someone directly.