The warmer weather will be here before we know it. This means that more and more people will be heading for picnics, camping outings and backyard cookouts. However, the warmer temperatures are the ideal environment for food bugs. Here are some food tips to keep your family safe this summer.
Packing and Transporting Food This Summer
• Avoid cross-contamination. This means you want to keep raw meats, seafood and poultry separate from all your other foods.
• Foods that are perishable, like egg salads, fruit trays and cooked meats, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours and no longer than an hour for temps over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Standard room temperature is 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When transporting cold foods this summer, be sure you keep them cold until you reach your destination. Foods should be kept in a cooler with ice at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When transporting hot foods this summer, be sure foods are kept hot, at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grilling Meats This Summer
• Before grilling your meats, poultry and seafood, be sure you defrost them properly. You never want to defrost meat, poultry or seafood at room temperature, like on the kitchen counter. Always defrost them in the refrigerator 1-2 days in advance.
• Use a thermometer when cooking meats out on the grill. This way, you can tell when your meats are cooked just right, killing any bacteria.
• Different meats, poultry and seafoods have different temperatures which indicate they are cooked thoroughly. Steaks, fish and pork need to be cooked to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Ground beef and egg dishes need to be cooked to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken breasts and whole poultry need to be cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Crab, lobster and shrimp need to be cooked until it is pearl white in color and is no longer transparent.
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Thanks for these important safety tips. No one has time for a case of food poisoning, so people need to make sure they follow these tips.
Great tips to remember when preparing food. So many people end up food poisoning that could have been avoided at the party you attended.
These tips are so important! It is easy to forget how long to leave food out when you are busy throwing a party, but so important to keep your guests safe!
Such great tips! I love summer cooking! Grilling especially.
Such a timely reminder. Too many people forget that we must be safe in our handling of food. Thank you for the tips!
These are great tips – we’re always so careful but I can’t say the same about our neighbours, I’m always dreading it when I see they’re getting ready for a bbq x
This is one reason why I prefer to have a bbq at home. You don’t have to worry as much about transporting temperature sensitive food. These are great tips though to make sure your summer and spring are free from food poisoning.
Awesome tips to always have handy. You can never be too cautious especially where food safety is concerned!
These are such important tips. I had undercooked chicken from the grill once and now I am neurotic about checking the thickest parts to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. Raw chicken isn’t just dangerous, it completely grosses me out.
I have just learned proper internal meat temperatures in the past couple years and it makes cooking meat so much easier. Now I just use a instant meat thermometer and know exactly if it is cooked properly. Thanks for all these safety tips.
This is so helpful!!! I never thought about food safety when transporting food to picnics, etc.
I’m so excited to start grilling again! Thanks for the tips, so important to be mindful of food safety
These are great tips. I feel like people forget about simple things with food safety, especially when they are having fun in the summer.
It’s really important to be careful with the food that you serve to your family especially during the summer. The heat can really affect the quality of your food especially the meat. I think these are awesome tips.
I am always so paranoid about food safety, especially in the summer when we are grilling out or going to BBQs at family members’ homes. Thanks for these tips, I know I can be safer with them!
Good to know and important to make sure everyone pays attention to it.. especially after a few beers!
These are some great tips. We always entertain in the summer time and you definitely don’t want guests getting sick!
so excited for summer and to start smelling those summer grills! I love any type of skewer on the grill too! even just veggies