Summertime picnics, barbecues and other parties are fun, but it’s important to follow certain storage, sanitation and cooking tips to avoid getting sick.
Bacteria can grow on food that isn’t kept at the right temperature or that was prepared on unclean surfaces.
Protect
your family and friends from foodborne illnesses this summer. Follow these
tips:
your family and friends from foodborne illnesses this summer. Follow these
tips:
- Always wash your
hands before food preparation and sanitize surfaces and utensils. - Wash fruits and
vegetables before preparing. - Use different
plates, cutting boards and utensils when
handling raw and cooked items. Wash your hands
after handling raw food, particularly raw meat or poultry. - Never leave
perishable food out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. - Cook foods to
the proper temperature to kill parasites, bacteria and
viruses. Use a food thermometer to ensure that
fish, shellfish, pork and lamb
are cooked to 145°F, hamburger and sausages are
cooked to 155°F, and poultry, stuffed meats
and casseroles are cooked to 165°F. - Keep hot food
hot (above 135°F) and cold food cold (below 41°F).
Click here for more food safety tips!