SAFE SUMMER PICNICKING
The sun is brightly shining, the breeze is gently blowing, and nature is calling. What better way to answer than with a checkered tablecloth, a packed ice chest, and a spirited group of family and friends.Picnicking is one of America?’s favorite summer pastimes. Unfortunately, summer heat is ideal for bacteria growth in foods and increasing your risk for food poisoning. This bacteria is usually undetectable by sight, smell, and taste. Therefore, prevention is the key. Food poisoning can be avoided by taking precautions when preparing, packing, and serving your picnic fare.
PREPARING THE GOODS
Most food poisoning is caused by improper food handling during preparation.
Take note of the following:PACKING YOUR ICE CHEST
- Wash your hands with hot water, and soap before you begin and in-between handling different food items.
- Clean countertops, cutting boards, knives, and utensils prior to use and after contact with fresh meat, fish, or poultry. Bacteria from these foods can be transferred to fruits and vegetables that are usually eaten uncooked.
- Marinate meats in the refrigerator.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables prior to packing. Water may not be available at your picnic site.
Keeping foods safely cold in the summer heat can be challenging. Proper packing of the ice chest will keep foods colder longer. Follow these packing pointers:
SERVING YOUR FEAST
- Refrigerate all foods to be kept cold before you pack them.
- Use a generous supply of ice packed in sturdy plastic bags or use several frozen gel packs. Layer these in and around food items in the ice chest.
- Minimize the amount of time the cooler is open by packing beverages separately and placing first-used items such as dips and appetizers on the top.
- Transport the ice chest inside of the car instead of a hot trunk.
- At the picnic site, keep the ice chest under the shade of a tree or picnic table to help keep it cool.
Time is of the essence as food temperatures rise. Follow these timely tips:
- Keep food in the ice chest until serving time. Raw meat should remain frozen until it hits the coals.
- Set the serving table out of the sun to help keep food temperatures from quickly soaring.
- Finish serving and consuming foods within 2 hours after removing them from the ice chest. If picnicking in hotter climates where temperatures exceed 85 ° Fahrenheit, serve and consume within 1 hour.
- Keep leftovers in the ice chest. If potato salad or chicken has been sitting out for several hours, it?’s best to throw it out.
Summer picnics are a great setting for creating memories with your family and friends. Just be sure to follow safe food handling, packing, and serving tips to keep your memories free of food poisoning. So pack up and head out to the beach, park, or hills, and enjoy that glorious summer weather. Before you know it, we'll be talking about football, feasts, and pumpkins.
