Food Saftey Tips

With the perfect weather here for cookouts, the summer is a great time to catch up with friends while grilling up some of your favorite foods.  In order to keep these fun gatherings safe let’s review some of the golden rules of kitchen and cooking safety!

• Keep all surfaces clean– wash down all counters, cutting boards and utensils when cutting up veggies and marinading meats.  Make sure not to cross contaminate by using a separate board for meats and vegetables.
• Wash Your hands!  Keep you own hands clean by washing in between foods.  This will also stop the spread of food born bacteria.
• Keep Hot Food Hot and Cold Food Cold – Sometimes it is easy to forget how long food has been sitting out on the patio.  Do not leave food at room temperature longer than 2 hours (1 hour when summer room temperatures are hot).  Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Also make sure that meat juices can’t drip onto other foods.  To store hot foods, refrigerate immediately in shallow containers to cool them more quickly.
• Use a thermometer to check that foods are at the right temp. Hot Foods – 140 degrees F. and above. Cold Foods – 40 degrees F. or below. Use a meat thermometer for foods coming out of the over or off the grill.
• When in Doubt – Throw it Out!!  If you are unsure how long you left a food item out. . . throw it out!  Put food away as soon as you are done with it. Be sure to discard any food that has an off-color or order, or food that has warmed to room temperature for an unknown period of time.Have fun with family friends this summer season by following these basic safety cooking tips!

Categorized in: Food Safety