The weekend of the big game is here, which happens to be the second-largest food consumption day of the year, following Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s a time when many in Oakland County will gather around to sit around the television indulging in sports talk and tackling delicious game day meals with their loved ones. While hosting your party, it’s important to practice food safety to keep everyone healthy and full. Follow these basic steps to intercept bacteria:
Keep it Clean
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
- Thoroughly clean your cooking dishes, utensils, and countertops after prepping each dish using hot, soapy water. Rinse with clear water. To sanitize surfaces, use unscented bleach or chlorine products.
- Wash or scrub your fresh fruits and vegetables, even those with skin or rind that you don’t plan to consume.
Separate
- Separate raw meat from ready-to-eat foods, such as fruits and veggies, when prepping, serving or storing food.
- Use separate utensils for produce and raw meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Cook
- Use a clean food thermometer to check cooking temperatures. Do not rely on how food looks to be sure it is fully cooked.
- Make sure chicken wings (and other poultry) reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Ground beef and egg dishes should reach at least 160°F.
- When cooking in a microwave oven, cover the food, stir, and rotate once or twice during cooking to avoid cold spots where bacteria can survive.
Chill
- Keep cold foods, like salsa and guacamole, at 40°F or colder. Use small service trays or nest serving dishes in bowls of ice.
- Refrigerate leftover foods right away. Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.
Remember to play it safe! For additional food safety tips, check out a helpful list provided by Oakland County Health Division. Follow along with them for more safety tips and health news on Facebook and Twitter.
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