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As summer gets underway,
many of us are planning to
host or attend outdoor
events. Here are some food
safety tips to keep in mind
as you pack your picnic
baskets for the unofficial
start of summer.
Keep it at the right
temperature:
- Try to keep hot
foods hot and cold foods
cold.
- Remember the "danger
zone." Avoid keeping
foods between 40 and 140
degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don't let leftover
food sit outside for
extended periods (more
than 2 hours indoors or
more than 1 hour
outdoors).
- Pack foods so that
they will maintain the
appropriate temperatures
when you're traveling
any distance.
- When cooking
outdoors on the grill,
use a meat thermometer
to ensure meats are
cooked to an internal
temperature of 160
degrees for hamburgers
and 170 degrees for
chicken.
Avoid
cross-contamination:
- Don't handle or cook
raw meats without
washing your hands
before and after
handling different types
of meats.
- Remember to clean
surfaces well between
preparation of meats,
chicken, fruits, and
vegetables.
- If you're away from
your kitchen, bring a
supply of wipes or
another way to keep
hands and surfaces
clean.
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