Food at the Fair

Going to the fair is a summertime ritual for many of us. One of the biggest attractions to the fair is the many different types of foods we can get. My favorite "fair food" is funnelcakes. The county fair is the only time I have one and I never leave the fair without one!

On the increase during summer months, foodborne illness often joins fairgoers as uninvited guests. Why at the fair? Cooking and eating outdoors means that the usual safety controls that a kitchen provides like refrigeration, washing facilities and controlled cooking may not be available. Safe cooking, eating and drinking experiences are easy by following a few simple tips. Believe it or not they are the same practices that are recommended to keep food safe at home just keeping the increased limitations imposed by the lack of facilities in mind - CLEAN - Wash hands and surfaces often; SEPARATE - Don't cross-contaminate, change or clean equipment when changing food; COOK - to right temperature and CHILL - refrigerate or put on ice quickly or keep stored in insulated bag

As a food fair consumer look at the vendor...

• Is the workstation clean?
• Is there a sink available for employees to wash their hands
• Do they wear gloves or use tongs when handling food
• Is there refrigeration on site?
• Are inspections completed and available for viewing?

Other issues you can consider are whether there are healthier options available? Also, there is always the option of bringing food from home which helps the pocketbook as well as allows you to control what's in the food. That being the case, be sure that food can be kept cold by bringing it in a cooler or insulated bag.

Going to the Fair? Have a great time and as always enjoy the fun, food and festivities. Just keep it all in balence and remeber that all of life is full of individual choices.

Happy, Healthy Eating,

Marcia