Don’t let your enjoyment of a good meal be threatened by food allergies and sensitivities or by food poisoning. Here are some tips for shopping and cooking that can help you ensure that the food you eat is safe and delicious.

Read labels – The FDA requires food manufacturers to list every ingredient that contains or is derived from one of the major food allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish and shellfish).

Watch the temperature – Install a thermometer inside your freezer to make sure it’s keep food below 32 degrees F. Use a food thermometer when cooking to make meets and other foods are heated to at least 165 degrees F.

Wash your hands – Washing up before cooking or after using the bathroom is one piece of common sense advice that has a scientific basis. At the same time, don’t overdo the use of hand sanitizers. Some researchers believe that an overly sanitized environment can actually contribute to the prevalence of allergies.

Read more about food safety at the Harvard Medical School Health Publications website.