Safe Food Practices at Home for Immunocompromised Patients With Cancer

Heather Ann Yonker, outpatient stem cell transplant dietitian at John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, expands on practical strategies for maintaining food safety in the home kitchen, particularly for patients with compromised immune systems. Building on her earlier discussion with CURE on food safety, Yonker provides a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of safe poultry preparation.

She emphasizes that raw poultry should never be washed or rinsed, as this can spread bacterial pathogens. Instead, the package should be carefully opened, the meat placed into a clean bowl, and hands thoroughly washed immediately afterward. Yonker advises discarding any paper towels used for wiping surfaces and packaging, reinforcing the importance of minimizing cross-contamination. At this stage, poultry can be seasoned and marinated in a tightly covered container and returned to the refrigerator.

When it comes to cooking, Yonker highlights the critical need to ensure meats reach safe internal temperatures. Visual cues alone may be unreliable, so she recommends using a meat thermometer to confirm proper doneness. For poultry, this means achieving a minimum internal temperature of 160 to 165°F, ensuring the meat is fully cooked while avoiding overcooking. Yonker notes that thickness and cut of the meat affect cooking times, often requiring up to 10 to 15 minutes in a hot pan with a small amount of oil.

The final step, chilling, is equally essential. Yonker instructs that cooked dishes should be cooled promptly and refrigerated within two hours in tightly covered containers. Leftovers should be used within three to four days or frozen for longer storage. She also stresses keeping raw and cooked foods separated in the refrigerator and checking expiration dates on all grocery items to prevent inadvertent contamination.

Yonker concludes by reiterating that food safety is not only crucial for preventing illness but also for enabling patients and families to enjoy nourishing meals with confidence. By adhering to the four foundational practices — cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling — home kitchens can remain safe environments, supporting both health and well-being.

Reference

1. “Emphasizing the Importance of Food Safety During Cancer Care,” by Heather Ann Yonker. CURE; Sept. 24, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/emphasizing-the-importance-of-food-safety-during-cancer-care

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.