Super Steps to a Safe Summer

Picnics, barbeques and potlucks are favorite ways to celebrate summer but making sure that any food that is prepared and transported to these events is safe will go far to everyone having a great time. Whatever the event, a little planning will help prevent food borne illnesses so common during the summer months.

Warmer weather conditions provide a perfect environment for bacteria and other pathogens in food to multiply rapidly and cause foodborne illness - people can get sick more easily. Follow the suggestions below to "Fight BAC" and reduce the risk of getting sick from food this summer.

• Always, wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. (Sing Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat - that's the time needed)


• Marinate in the fridge. Boil unused marinade before applying to cooked food or through it out. Don't use sauce used to marinate meat on cooked meat unless it is boiled


• Preheat coals on grill for 20 - 30 minutes or until lightly coated with ash. That assures that the temperature is hot enough to cook the food.


• Use a small portable thermometer to be sure that the food reaches a safe temperature


• Where's the Beef? or Chicken or Fish? Hamburgers should be cooked to 160 degrees F, while solid cuts of meat may be cooked to 145 degrees for medium rare if preferred. Poultry needs to reach 165 degrees and fish should be opaque and flake easily.


• Stay away from the same old plate. When taking food off the grill, don't put the food back on the same plate that held the raw food unless it's been washed.


• Foods that sit out in hot weather make a perfect home for BAC* (bacteria) to grow. So Fight BAC* by discarding or putting into cold container. The maximum time to leave food out is two hours.


• Icebox etiquette dictates that coolers be kept as full as possible with ice, cold packs and/or cold drinks to ensure a constant temperature. Coolers kept full will keep the temperature down longer. Keep coolers out of direct sun.

Have a safe and happy cookout season and as always...

Happy, Healthy Eating

Marcia