Don’t make these food safety mistakes on your summer barbecue

The cook-out season is finally here— But with all the fun of cooking and eating outdoors, additional food safety concerns arise.You are probably looking Creamy potato salad Intuitively, the truth about mayo may not be as scary as you might think (see below for details), but sitting in the sun all day is probably not ideal. There is none. According to the CDCFood poisoning peaks in the summer months, and food-derived bacteria multiply when temperatures rise. Here’s what you need to know to keep your barbecue and cookout safe this summer:

Leave food for a long time

One of the biggest concerns of cookouts and barbecues is food that sits outdoors for hours at a time. As a general rule, hot foods should be kept warm and cold foods should be kept cold.

CDC is recommended Refrigerate the leftovers within 2 hours after cooking. Recommended by USDA Leave food within 1 hour When the outside temperature is 90 degrees or higher.

It is advisable to increase safety by not leaving cold dishes such as dips and creamy salads in the sun for more than an hour. Bring a cooler box and ice, clean up the food that needs to be chilled, and think twice after the guest leaves and before eating the last hamburger patty.

Myth about mayo

One of the biggest myths about cookout safety is that mayonnaise-based food is a danger zone, but the truth is, Mayonnaise is not a substrate for bacterial growth Most people think so..In fact, Lifehacker’s senior food editor Claire Lower Point it out because of its acid content (due to vinegar or lemon juice) Mayonnaise purchased at the store can actually prevent the growth of bacteria. More caution is needed when using homemade mayonnaise for raw, unpasteurized eggs.This does not mean that the mayonnaise-based salad can be left in the sun indefinitely.However, these dishes often contain meat, eggs, cheese, and pasta, and none should be consumed after that two-hour time frame.

Mishandling meat

If you ask me Handling of raw meat The scariest aspect of cooking. Unless you’re worried about ruining perfectly delicious meat, you’re worried about food poisoning to your guests.

Next grill guideline Comes from CDC Handling of raw meat, chicken and seafood:

• Separate it from other foods.
• Cool before grilling.
• Wash your hands before and after handling.
• Be careful of spills and splashes of juice, and be sure to clean up afterwards.

Make sure you have the designated dishes and utensils specifically for raw meat. Do not secondary contaminate the raw meat station with finished products.

Use a food thermometer Make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature. The FDA advises that chicken be cooked to at least 165ºF, You can safely cook chicken up to 155ºFOn condition that it is kept at a lower temperature for proper amMountain of time (This article Serious Eats charts have useful charts to help you do that).. according to USDA: Beef must be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit and minced beef must be at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast pork and chops should also be cooked up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. There are cases made for pink pork Than you may be accustomed to preparing.

Let’s talk about dogs

This is a barbecue, so we have to talk about hot dogs. There is a widespread myth that hot dogs are “pre-cooked” and do not need to be cooked carefully enough. This is not true. FDA recommends you Always reheat the hot dog until it gets hot and humidAbout 140ºF. Do not eat raw hot dogs. Is it really what you need to hear? For many reasons, don’t eat raw hot dogs!

In addition, if you are pregnant, you may want Consider skipping hot dogs (and other deli meats) completely.

Share food and share bacteria

Although outdoor events have usually been said to be safer in the past few years because they are more extensive, cookouts are still a hotspot for sharing buffet-style bacteria. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid the spread of bacteria.

• Make sure everyone in your gathering has a way to wash their hands frequently.
• Specifies the tool for providing shared items.
• Avoid sharing plates and cups.
• Avoid grabbing items such as chips and hot dog bread by hand.
• If you have a cold, flu, or symptoms like COVID, stay home.

Check out some Other tips for hosting the perfect summer cookout..