By Tami Boyd, SupplyTime Product Expert
How can you reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses during cookouts and picnics?
Outdoor entertaining is one of the best ways to spend time with friends and loved ones during the summer months. Cookouts and barbecues are not only fun, they also allow you to enjoy cooking and eating meals outside instead of sweating indoors over a hot stove for hours. Unfortunately there is a higher risk of becoming sick with foodborne illnesses, also referred to as food poisoning because common food handling and storage rules are easily overlooked. Here are some tips and reminders from the USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) to ensure that your summer picnics are safe and illness free.
- Wash hands – anyone that is preparing or handling food should wash their hands frequently. If a sink is not nearby you could set up a small table near the outdoor faucet or hose with hand soap and paper towels. Hand sanitizer can also be used if you are away from home and do not have access to soap and water. Premoistened disposable wipes can also be used.
- Store raw food and cooked food separately – have multiple coolers or storage containers for storing and transporting food.
- Keep warm food warm and cold food cold – hot food should be kept at 140 degrees. Invest in insulated serving dishes or buffet service equipment. Crock pots are also a good option for keeping food warm. Cold foods should be stored at or below 40 degrees – coolers filled with ice should have tight fitting lids and checked frequently to replenish any melted ice.
- Cover and store food in airtight containers to prevent insects or other debris from getting on it.
- Keep utensils and surfaces clean with premoistened disposable wipes or soap and water.
- Cook food thoroughly.
- Promptly store any leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.
- When in doubt – throw it out. If you’re not sure how long those deviled eggs have been sitting out in the sun – DON’T RISK IT!!
Here are some products that SupplyTime recommends for fun and safe outdoor enteraining:
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes – kills 99.9% of germs on most hard surfaces
Purell Hand Sanitizers – portable and easy to use hand sanitizer gels kills 99.9% of most common germs that may cause illness
Earthsense Commercial Recycled Can Liners – trash bags and clear recycling waste bags are puncture resistant and made from recycled plastic
SupplyTime Product Experts are available to offer advice and recommendations for the best brands and products to make your summer picnics, cookouts and barbecues fun and easy!