The NC State Department of Public Health reports nearly five times as many cases of salmonella so far this year, compared to the first six months of last year. Nine is on your side with food safety tips to prevent salmonella:

• Cleanliness is first and foremost: wash hands, utensils, equipment and cooking areas with warm, soapy water.
• Don’t eat raw eggs, or foods containing raw eggs — that includes cookie dough.
• Buy clean eggs. Open the carton before you buy to make sure the shells are not cracked.
• Thoroughly cook eggs and meat. You can use a thermometer to check that.
• Ground beef and dishes containing eggs should be cooked to 160 degrees. Whole and ground poultry at 165 degrees. And pork, fish and steaks should reach 158 degrees.