The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging the public to practice food safety throughout the entire Thanksgiving process, from the grocery store to the dining table, the department said in a news release.

Rinsing raw turkey before cooking it is not recommended as it can increase the chances of cross-contamination in your kitchen, and the only way to ensure safety is to cook it to an internal temperature of 165-degrees.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging consumers to practice food safety procedures as the holidays get underway with its food safety guide. The USDA released a guide for consumers so they can practice food safety throughout the Thanksgiving process from the grocery store to dinner.