Don’t Make These Food Safety Mistakes at a Summer Barbecue
Cooking season is finally here, but with all the pleasures of cooking and eating outdoors, there are additional food safety concerns. You’ve probably seen creamy potato salad and intuitively knew that it’s probably not ideal for sitting in the sun all day, though the truth about mayonnaise might not be as bad as you think (more on that below). According to the CDC , food poisoning peaks during the summer months, when warmer temperatures cause food-borne microbes to thrive. Here’s what you need to know to keep your barbecue or cooking safe this summer.
Leaving food out too long
One of the main problems with cooking and barbecuing is that food sits outside for hours on end. As a general rule, hot food should stay hot and cold food cold.
The CDC recommends refrigeration of leftovers within two hours of cooking; The USDA recommends leaving food out for no more than an hour when the outside temperature is 90 degrees or higher.
We advise you to play it safe with cold dishes, such as sauces and creamy salads, not leaving them in the sun for more than an hour. Bring a fridge and ice with you to pack any food that needs to stay chilled, and think twice before eating your last hamburger patty hours after your guests have left.
The myth of mayonnaise
One of the biggest food safety myths is that any mayonnaise-based dish is a danger zone, but the truth is that mayonnaise is not a breeding ground for bacteria, as most people think . In fact, Lifehacker Senior Food Editor Claire Lower notes that due to its acid content (in the form of vinegar or lemon juice), store-bought mayonnaise can actually prevent bacterial growth. Where you need to be more careful if you are using homemade mayonnaise due to raw, unpasteurized eggs. However, that doesn’t mean you can leave mayonnaise-based salads out in the sun indefinitely—these dishes often contain meat, eggs, cheese, and pasta, none of which should be consumed after this two-hour window.
Improper handling of meat
If you ask me, handling raw meat is the most intimidating aspect of cooking. If I’m not worried about spoiling a great piece of meat, then I’m worried that my guests might get sick.
The following grilling recommendations come from the CDC for handling raw meat, chicken, and seafood:
- Separate it from other food.
- Refrigerate it before grilling.
- Wash your hands before and after handling it.
- Keep an eye on juices spilling and splashing and make sure you always clean up after.
Make sure you have a special plate and utensils that are made exclusively for raw meat. Never pollute a raw meat station with finished product.
Use a food thermometer to make sure the food is cooked to a safe temperature. Although the Food and Drug Administration recommends cooking chicken at at least 165ºF, you can safely cook chicken at 155ºF, provided you keep it at the lower temperature for the appropriate amount of time (in this article from Serious Eats has a handy table to help you do this) . According to the USDA : Beef should be at least 145ºF and ground beef at least 160ºF. Roast pork and chops should also be cooked at 145ºF, although there are times when the pork should be rosier than you might want. get used to the preparation.
Let’s talk about dogs
Since this is a barbecue, we need to talk about hot dogs. There is a common myth that because hot dogs are “pre-cooked” you don’t have to thoroughly cook them all the way through. It is not true. The FDA recommends always reheating hot dogs until they are hot , around 140º F. Don’t eat raw hot dogs. Is this really what you needed to hear? For many reasons, don’t eat raw hot dogs!
Also, if you’re pregnant, you may want to skip hot dogs (and other deli meats) altogether.
Share food and share microbes
Despite being told over the last few years of the pandemic that outdoor events tend to be more spread out and therefore safer, picnics are still a popular place for buffet-style microbe-sharing. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid spreading germs:
- Make sure everyone in your meeting has the opportunity to wash their hands often.
- Set aside utensils for serving shared items.
- Avoid sharing plates and cups.
- Avoid picking up items such as chips and hot dog buns.
- If you’re feeling any cold, flu, or COVID-like symptoms, just stay home.
Check out some more tips for organizing the perfect summer picnic .