Save This USDA Hotline for Food Safety Emergencies
The USDA may not be the first place you think of when you’re not sure if you can stuff a turkey the night before, but they have a hotline set up to answer just such questions. Add 1-888-MPHotline to your contacts to be the hero everyone needs to get ready for Thanksgiving, and yes, they’ll be taking calls on that big day.
The hotline is known as the Meat and Poultry Hotline and you can call it year-round for any food safety issues related to meat, poultry or eggs. The line is serviced by people from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Monday through Friday. On Thanksgiving this year, it will be open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm ET.
And if you have telephobia, they can also give you answers via email. Send your questions to MPHotline@usda.gov. You can also use the online chat on the Ask USDA website.
They have also pre-answered many of your common Thanksgiving questions, which you can access on the website above or as automated messages on the hotline, even after business hours. They include things like:
- How long can a thawed turkey be kept in the refrigerator? (One to two extra days after he went through the thaw process, about one day per five pounds.)
- Can you stuff a turkey the night before? (No, you really shouldn’t.)
- What is the best temperature to cook a turkey? (325 is the lowest safe oven temperature. The internal temperature is more complicated and up to preference, but 165 is the standard.)
- How long can a leftover turkey keep in the refrigerator? (3-4 days if you refrigerate it quickly.)
We also have answers to your other food safety questions here . And while you’re at it, you can read about why that pop-up timer in your turkey is garbage and you should throw it away. (Your turkey won’t be unsafe , just overcooked.) Are you feeling ready? Go and fire.