With the warm weather underway you may be ready to start enjoying some outdoor barbeques with friends and family. In fact, you may have already started! Now that barbeque season is here, it is a good time to brush up on some food safety so that you can enjoy those delicious party foods without the risk of getting sick. Here are some easy reminders to keep with you this summer:
• Clean everything. Start with your hands. Then wash your work surfaces and utensils. Then wash all the foods you will be using. Be sure to keep all raw meats away from other foods. Use separate cutting boards for each different type of food you are preparing.
• Keep cold foods cold. Macaroni salads, potato salads, and anything that comes out of the refrigerator to be put on the table should promptly be put back in that fridge when everyone is done having their share. Keep them on the table no longer than one hour if it is hot outside. You can even keep them cooler by setting the bowls in trays of ice on the table.
• Keep hot foods hot. Letting hot foods like burgers, hot dogs and other things from the grill get cool will only increase their chance of bacterial growth. Meats need to reach and maintain certain minimum temps in order to keep bacteria away. Poultry’s minimum temp is generally 165F, ground meats are generally 160F and steaks are generally 145F. To avoid unnecessary waste, only grill enough for each guest to enjoy with the offer of firing up the grill again for a second round if anyone wants it.
Once the cooking is done, sit back and relax with a nice cold drink and your family and friends. You deserve it after that wonderful meal!
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