Turkey? Check. Fixin’s? Check. Centerpiece? Check.

Salmonella? Let’s keep that one off the menu.

On Thanksgiving, being the perfect host or hostess is not just about a beautiful table or delicious food. Above all, it’s about keeping your family and friends food safe, because you don’t want to be remembered as the one who sent their guests to the hospital during the holidays – or even worse.

Food-borne illnesses are a growing problem in the United States, with 1 in 6 Americans becoming sick from them every year. Out of those128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. Stories of E. coli in spinach, salmonella in peanut butter and contaminated cantaloupe are enough to make anyone shudder.

The Savvy 7 are:

1) Shop with your eyes wide open. This means reading labels, becoming knowledgeable about product ingredients and knowing how meats and dairy products should be stored to avoid them going bad. Another thing to look out for:...