What is Healthy Markets?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture (MDA) have partnered with live animal markets to launch Healthy
Markets, a campaign to promote healthy behaviors at the markets.
For many people, buying meat and poultry from live animal market is an
important tradition, but handling raw meat and having close contact with live
animals carry certain health risks. We want to encourage simple things
customers can do at the markets and in their homes to protect their health and
the health of their families.
Did you know?
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Animals naturally carry bacteria and viruses that can cause illness in
people, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and influenza viruses.
In Minnesota, 600-800 cases of Salmonella infections are reported
every year.
In 2011, there was a large Salmonella outbreak in Minnesota
associated with the live animal markets. In that outbreak, most of
those who got sick were children.
What can I do to stay healthy?
At the Market:
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Wash your hands before and after visiting the animals.
Carry raw meat or poultry home in appropriate containers like clean
bags or coolers.
• Do not enter the animal area if you are younger than 5 years old, are
65 years old or older, have a certain medical conditions like lung
disease, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, or
neurological conditions.
At Home:
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Chill your raw meat and poultry in the refrigerator until you are ready
to cook it.
Freeze raw meat and poultry if you are not planning to cook it in three
days.
Keep raw meat and poultry away from foods that won’t be cooked.
Wash your hands, utensils, and cutting boards before and after
contact with raw meat and poultry.
Healthy Markets Fact Sheet 1/2014
Learn more
• Foodsafety.gov
• Food safety home CDC
• Influenza in Animals
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Healthy Markets Coloring
Book
Variant Influenza Fact Sheet
Food Safety Print Materials
Contact Us:
Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
(651) 201 5414