Among all the family recipes for stuffing, egg nog and sweet potatoes being put to work this holiday season, there also will be a surefire recipe for holiday illness:

Don't cook meats thoroughly.

Don't wash your hands before handling food or after using the lavatory.

And don't keep foods such as potato salad and chicken in the refrigerator.

This Christmas, more than in the past, illness is on the minds of many diners and health organizations. Officials are warning about outbreaks of hepatitis A, along with the traditional run-ins with E. coli, salmonella and other gastrointestinal problems. And though families may fear that turning their kitchens into "hospital scrub rooms" could dampen the charm of the occasion, cleanliness won't dampen the spirit half as much as a trip to a real hospital scrub room.

Besides, dinner guests are more wary than ever about the food being prepared for them. If anything, extra precautions shown by the cook and servers will lower anxiety and add to the spontaneity.

Washing all food is a good habit to form, but warnings in recent weeks single out green onions, cantaloupe and watermelon as potential dangers. Eggs always require special attention. And nothing says "illness" quite like a slab of uncooked pork.

With beef, the era of steaks with a "cold pink center" and "steak tartare" are over. Grandma's pot roast may have looked over-cooked in the past, but this year it's looking like the smartest meal in town.

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Health authorities advise using paper towels to dry hands, then discarding the towels. They also caution against using sponges to perform multiple tasks before rinsing them in disinfectant and suggest dividing leftovers into small portions so they chill or freeze more quickly.

If you have concerns while eating out or dining at the home of a friend, don't feel obligated to forge ahead and hope for the best. Holiday manners are important, but not if they end in a festive ambulance ride.

This holiday season is no time to come up with anything half-baked. In fact, when families arrive singing "Hurrah for the fun, is the pudding done?" this year, it signals more than anticipation.

The question, this year, is a legitimate health concern.

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