WASHINGTON — Spring cleaning isn’t just for washing windows, cleaning your closets and dusting your rugs, it’s also a great time to take stock of your pantry and fridge.

Lean Plate Club blogger Sally Squires says one reason it’s important to take stock of your kitchens now is that there are 48 million cases of food-borne illnesses annually, according to the Food and Drug Administration. That’s the equivalent of about 1 in every 6 Americans amounting to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

Squires says part of reducing food borne illnesses is keeping a clean kitchen, practicing good hand washing techniques and being sure not to accidentally contaminate foods at home or at the grocery store.  Her advice is to keep fresh meat, poultry and fish away from fresh produce in your cart.