Corporate Fitness and Active Aging

Summer Food Safety: Eating Outdoors

Summer is the best time for outdoor activities and fuel in the form of food is needed to support the fun. However, food safety can be a challenge in the summer, with more individuals becoming sick with a foodborne illness than any other season, as the warmer weather is an optimal environment for bacteria to grow. Between leaving food out in the hot summer sun to accidental cross contamination on the grill - here’s how to ensure you’re keeping your food safe this summer.

  1. GettyImages-483116915Wash your hands.
    • As always, you should wash your hands before preparing or eating any food, however, it is especially important to do so before and immediately after handling raw meat.
    • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  1. Cook food at the proper temperature.
    • Utilize a clean thermometer to measure the temperature, rather than guessing based on how it looks. Fresh fish, pork and beef steaks/chops should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, while eggs and ground beef (hamburgers) to 160°F, and 165°F for chicken and turkey.

  2. Store food properly.
    • Not only is it important to cook food to the proper temperature, but food must be kept at the appropriate temperature to avoid bacterial growth that can result in unsafe food.
    • Cold foods should be kept below 40°F and discarded if they reach a temperature of 70°F or higher.
    • Hot foods should be kept above 135°F, refrigerated within 1 hour if it’s >90°F outside, and discarded if they have been sitting below 135°F for >4 hours.

  3. Don’t cross contaminate.
    • Marinate foods in the refrigerator, rather than on the counter or outside. Dispose of marinades and sauces that have come in contact with raw meat/raw meat juices immediately.
    • Keep raw food separate from cooked food.
    • Use a separate utensil/serving dish for handling raw and cooked meats and other foods.

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Topics: food food quality Dietitian Connection