Ask Karen: Your Food Safety Expert

Want to know how long you can safely keep meat in the refrigerator? Or how long to boil an egg? How about whether it’s better to use wooden or plastic cutting boards?

Just ask Karen, your guide to expert knowledge on handling and storing food safely and preventing food poisoning.

Here’s how Ask Karen can help you…

• Use this page to search our database of common food safety questions (available 24/7).
• You can also:
  • Chat online with one of our food safety experts (available weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or by phone (1-888-674-6854).
  • Email your question to mphotline.fsis@usda.gov

On your mobile phone, go to m.askkaren.gov | En Español