At some point throughout the summer, most of us will spend time outside with family and friends at a picnic or backyard barbecue. If you aren’t careful about handling foods during these cookouts, you’re putting yourself and others at risk for potential food-related illnesses.
Stay safe with these simple tips:
- Wash cooking equipment, dishes and utensils between uses. Be sure to clean the grill’s surface after each use and to wash cutting boards after cutting raw meat.
- Store all perishables in a cooler with ice on top, not just underneath. Use one cooler for drinks and one for food. Never eat anything that has been left out of a refrigerator or cooler for more than two hours.
- Invest in a meat thermometer so you can make sure all meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
