Eating al fresco: picnic safety tips
August 25, 2009 | | Comments (2)
Want to catch the last rays of the sun? How about a picnic in the park, the beach or campground before the kids head back to school. But play it safe! Nothing spoils the fun more than getting sick from food eaten at a picnic.
The risk of foodborne illnesses increases during the summer when temperatures are warmer. Certain bacteria, like Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7, thrive under warm and moist conditions. The "danger zone" for the rapid growth of bacteria is from 4C to 60C (40F to 140F).
Picnic food safety rules include:
- keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold
- do not cross-contaminate food
- keep hazardous foods in well insulated coolers
- transport coolers in the passenger part of the car -- NOT in the hot trunk
- cover cooler at all times and keep in the shade
- if you barbeque, cook all meat thoroughly -- use a food thermometer to check for doneness
- serve food quickly and return unused part to cooler right away
- discard all hazardous food leftovers after picnic is finished
Don't forget, basic food handling rules still apply -- even outdoors! Keep utensils, plates, cups and trays clean and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
Having said all that, don't worry, use common sense and enjoy your picnic. Bon Appetit!
