Barbequing is more than a summer event. People are beginning to use their grills whenever the weather permits. Here are some tips to have a safe and healthy cookout.
Barbeques are fun and family oriented. Laughing and eating lead to a good time. But, you want to make sure that you prepare and handle food in a safe manner so that no one gets sick.
How to Keep Food Safe
One of the types of bacteria that people can contract from unhealthy food preparation is Salmonella. It can result from cross-contamination. Here are a few food tips to keep you safe.
- Keep raw foods away from cooked foods – All foods contain some sort of bacteria. That is why washing and proper temperature when cooking are important. Introducing blood from raw meat in an area with cooked food re-contaminates the cooked food. Also pay attention to the utensils that you use. If you pick up raw meat with tongs, use a different pair for removing cooked meat from the grill.
- Precook as many foods as you can – Reduce cooking time and bacterial contamination by defrosting frozen meats in the microwave. Sautéing chicken in a skillet before popping it on the grill keeps you from carrying around raw meat, especially if you are transporting foods from home to another venue.
- Throw away extra marinade – When marinating meat, throw away the excess when you remove the raw meat from it. If you want to baste your meat on the grill, save some marinade out that has not come in contact with any raw food.
- Keep cold foods cold – Improper refrigeration can lead to food poisoning. This also goes for cold salads that have a mayonnaise base. When buying meats from the store, carry a cooler or a freezer bag to transport them home so that they don’t come to room temperature and spoil.
- Wash everything – This is especially important if you are barbequing at a separate venue. Bring dishwashing soap and a jug of water. Use it to not only wash hands after handling raw food and cooked food but also to soak dirty utensils.
- Cook meat thoroughly – Avoiding cross-contamination is only part of the solution. Raw meats need to be properly cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes the temperature is higher depending on the type of meat.
- Refrigerate leftovers – It is recommended that cooked meat be refrigerated no more than two hours after coming off the grill. Food that sits at room temperature too long is not safe to eat, especially in hot weather. Cold salads need to be refrigerated sooner to avoid any problems with leftovers later. If you don’t plan on eating it later, a good idea may be to throw it away.
Barbequing is a fun pastime when the weather is warm. Keep it safe and healthy with a few timely tips.
