Do you enjoy going to barbecues or celebrations during the summer time, especially, around holidays? Did you know that you are more likely to eat contaminated food when temperatures outside are warmer? During the summer months many families and friends are getting together to hang out, have cookouts, attend celebrations, or have a party. Most of the time people are busy socializing or spending time together, often times people don’t realize that food is being left out for extended periods of time. When you leave food out for extended periods of time, especially during the summer months, it can increase your chances of eating contaminated food and becoming ill. Bacteria thrives in warmer temperatures and is undetectable to the human eye. When in doubt toss it out, it is better to waste food than to eat food that has been contaminated with bacteria.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. If you think you have food poisoning, please see a doctor immediately.
Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning or Complications from Food Borne Illness
During the summer months, as you are gathering with family and friends it is important to remember these food safety tips. Being overly cautious can help prevent food borne illnesses. Use the following tips as a guideline and to help reduce your chances of getting food poisoning:
- Before you begin preparing any food, wipe down the kitchen counters with a cleaner that kills 99% of bacteria and germs. Killing the germs will greatly reduce the chances of cross contaminating your food, utensils, and hands. Remember germs can’t been seen and often times you don’t know what is lurking on your counters.
- Always wash your hands before handling any food. Rewash them frequently especially after touching meats, eggs, going to the bathroom, handling pets, touching your face or hair, ect
- Carefully store your food properly to avoid cross contamination.
- Never defrost meat on the kitchen counter.
- Always use the microwave or refrigerator to defrost your food.
- Freeze any meat that you are not planning on using immediately or the next day.
- Clean your refrigerator and wipe it down with warm water and baking soda. Remove the draws and wash them with soap and hot water, especially, the meat and vegetable compartments. Make sure the drawers are thoroughly dry before putting them back in the refrigerator.
- Always keep your hot food hot after you have finished cooking them to avoid bacteria from growing on your freshly cooked food. Bacteria quickly breeds when the temperature is between 40 and 140 degrees F. Do keep your meat at 140 degrees F if you plan on leaving it out for an extended period of time by using a [amazon_link id=”B0018QJA8I” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”]warmer that is designed to keep foods hot[/amazon_link]. Promptly put the meats in the refrigerator when everyone has finished eating.
- Always keep your cold foods in the refrigerator or on ice until you are ready to serve. Promptly return your cold foods to the refrigerator or ice once you are finished eating.
- Avoid cross contamination by keeping your hands and utensils clean.
- Promptly clean up any dripping juices with a kitchen cleaner that will adequately kill 99% of bacteria and germs.
- Never place cooked foods on pans or plates that have touched raw meats. Also, don’t use the same utensils on raw and cooked food. Always get clean utensils for cooked food.
- Always put perishable foods in separate containers. Never mix foods.
- Properly wash all containers that food was stored or transported in.
- If you are transporting food, always place perishable foods in a cooler that contains enough ice to keep your food cold. If possible, place the [amazon_link id=”B000G68GP4″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow” ]cooler[/amazon_link] inside of the air-conditioned car instead of the hot trunk.
- Never prepare perishable food more than a day in advance of the party unless you are able to freeze it. Cooking foods in advance allows more opportunity for bacteria to grow.
- Never eat food that has been sitting outside for more than an hour.
Comments
16 responses to “Summer Food Safety Tips – Reduce Your Chances of Food Poisoning”
All it takes is one episode of food poisoning to make you a kitchen sanitation nazi! Trust me!
I should clarify that my food poisoning came from Shrimp on someone else’s buffet, not from my kitchen!
I have had several cases of food poisoning and it all came from restaurants.
I agree Kristi. I love using a bleach solution on my counters even though my older kids hate using it. I want to make sure all of the bacteria on the counters is killed.
Clorox wipes are a favorite of mine for cleaning the kitchen. I liked your mention of cleaning the fridge regularly. It’s one people probably don’t think about as often. Great tips!
I know that I need to clean my own out soon. I love the wipes, I need to figure out a way to make my own reusable wipes.
I would imagine so. If going to restaurants can be a bit risky, going to a party, where there are not set rules about the way things will be prepared, and things are sitting outdoors, is surely, sadly, risky. You’ve provided an excellent reference here 🙂
Rhonda I have gotten sick from resturants even though most of the have their own food safety guidelines. However, you never know who in the kitchen staff is sick or carrying germs by not properly washing their hands. Most food borne illness are spread by cross contamination.
These are definitely great tips! I tell ya, I’ve been to some BBQs where the food was definitely questionable! This is definitely good to know!
Thank you Lexie.
Summer barbequeing is one of my favorite times, but I’ll admit I tend to get a little lazier than is probably healthy about keeping everything “safest”. I don’t have a problem cleaning up, but that thing of not eating food that’s been sitting outside more than an hour is tough! Thanks for the great tips, especially now that we’ve officially headed into BBQ season!
I can relate to eating food that has been sitting out too long; however, thankfully it usually happens at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.
It is very important to keep this in mind when cooking. Thanks for the reminder!
Your welcome Regina thank you for reading my post.
YIKES! Good tips. Like the one about putting the food in the air conditioned car instead of the trunk. Thanks!!
If I didn’t have an SUV and a small hatchback it would be impossible for me to put the food inside of the car.