USDA Food Safety Steps for Spring Holiday Meals

USDA Press Releases

Published March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The USDA has issued guidance on food safety practices for spring holiday meals, including Easter, Passover, and Mother's Day. The notice emphasizes following the 'Four Steps to Food Safety' to reduce the risk of foodborne illness during holiday gatherings.

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What changed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a press release providing guidance on food safety for consumers preparing spring holiday meals. The notice highlights the importance of adhering to the USDA's 'Four Steps to Food Safety' to prevent foodborne illnesses, particularly when preparing traditional dishes like Easter ham, Passover brisket, and Mother's Day brunch items. Key recommendations include understanding the 'Danger Zone' (40-140 degrees F) and the two-hour rule, proper handling and cooking temperatures for hams, and safe thawing and cooking procedures for brisket.

Consumers preparing for spring holidays should review and implement these food safety tips. This includes ensuring perishable foods are not left in the Danger Zone for extended periods and using a food thermometer to verify that meats like ham and brisket reach safe minimum internal temperatures (140-145 degrees F, with a rest period for ham). While this is a notice and not a rule with compliance deadlines, adherence to these practices is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses during family gatherings.

What to do next

Review USDA's 'Four Steps to Food Safety' for holiday meal preparation.
Ensure perishable foods are kept out of the 'Danger Zone' (40-140 degrees F) for no more than two hours.
Use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures for meats like ham and brisket.

Source document (simplified)

Press Release

Simple Food Safety Steps for Spring Holiday Meals

Published:

March 25, 2026

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., March 25, 2026) – Spring holidays bring families and friends together for Easter ham, Passover brisket, and Mother’s Day egg-based brunch dishes. As consumers across America prepare these traditional meals for large gatherings, following basic food safety practices can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

“Spring holidays are about cherished traditions—sharing Easter ham, Passover brisket, or a Mother’s Day brunch with those you love,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears. “Don’t let foodborne illness spoil these special moments. Keep your loved ones safe by following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Four Steps to Food Safety when preparing your favorite holiday meal.”

USDA encourages consumers to follow these food safety tips during Easter, Passover, and Mother’s Day:

The Danger Zone

Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F. This temperature range is called the Danger Zone.
Food should not be left in the Danger Zone for more than two hours (called the two-hour rule). After two hours, bacteria can reach dangerous levels that can cause foodborne illness.
Perishable foods, such as ham slices, brisket, and deviled eggs, should be discarded if left out for longer than two hours in the Danger Zone. Ham

Ham is a popular choice for Easter meals. There are many different types of hams available and knowing ham is ready to eat or requires cooking before consumption matters.

Ready-to-eat hams are fully cooked at the processing plant and can be reheated or safely eaten cold without additional cooking. Look for the USDA mark of inspection and “Fully Cooked” on the packaging. Reheat these hams to 140 degrees F and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when available.
Cook raw, fresh, and uncooked hams to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F, as measured with a food thermometer. Remove from heat and let rest for three minutes before carving.
If a ham says “Cook Thoroughly” on the packaging, follow all manufacturer’s instructions and use a food thermometer to ensure the ham has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a three-minute rest. More information at Hams and Food Safety.

Brisket

Allow enough time to thaw frozen brisket safely in the refrigerator. Thawing can take about 24 hours for a trimmed, first-cut brisket, while a whole brisket weighing about 10 pounds can take several days.
Bake the brisket, fat side up in a baking dish, in an oven set no lower than 325 degrees F. Brisket is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and is allowed to rest at that temperature for three minutes. More information at Beef from Farm to Table.

Lamb

Lamb is another traditional spring holiday dish.

Cook a leg of lamb and other cuts to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.
Cook ground lamb to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Consumers are also reminded to refrigerate leftovers within two hours to help prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying.

More information at Lamb from Farm to Table.

Eggs and Egg Dishes

Eggs and egg dishes are commonly served during spring holidays and brunch gatherings.

All egg dishes should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F, as measured by a food thermometer.
Eggs intended for eating should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. Keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
If you plan to eat decorated Easter eggs, use only food-grade dye. Consider making two sets of eggs, one for decorating and hiding and another for eating. For egg hunts, use non-food decorative eggs instead of eggs intended for consumption. More information at Shell Eggs from Farm to Table.

Questions?

Explore resources on the Spring Holiday Food Safety Guide, a one-stop guide to cooking, serving, and storing a safe holiday meal.

Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Access news releases and other information on FSIS’ website at www.fsis.usda.gov/newsroom. Follow FSIS on X at @usdafoodsafety and USDA on Instagram @usdagov and Facebook.

Press Release Release No.: 0046.26