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You can’t rely on color and texture alone to tell if your food is done and safe to eat. Find out how to tell if your food is thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.

Outdoor Dining

Tips for Safe Outdoor Eating

The sunny days of summer bring hot temperatures and outdoor gatherings. It's also a time of increased risk of food poisoning. While most Americans realize that May through September poses the biggest threat of food poisoning, a recent survey1 conducted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that consumers are not practicing correct outdoor food safety procedures.


So, before you pack the picnic basket, remember these simple tips to ensure that unwanted bacteria won't have a place at your table.

Wash Hands Often

  • Bring moist towelettes or soap and water to clean your hands and surfaces often.
Keep Raw Meats and Ready-to-Eat Foods Separate
  • Bring extra plates - one for handling raw foods and another for cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Marinate foods in the refrigerator. Don't reuse marinade used on raw meat or poultry unless boiled.

Cook to Proper Temperatures

  • Cook your favorite foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer; hamburger to at least 160°F and chicken breasts to 165°F.

  • Never partially grill meat or poultry to finish cooking later.

Refrigerate Promptly below 40°F

  • Pack food in a well-insulated cooler with plenty of ice or icepacks to keep temperature below 40°F.

  • Transport the cooler in the back seat of your air-conditioned car instead of in your hot trunk.

  • Remove from the cooler only the amount of raw meat that will fit on the grill.

  • Defrost meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator before taking them to the grill.

  • Don't leave food outside in hot weather (90°F or above) for more than one hour.

 
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