july fourth food safety reminders
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As we enter into the July Fourth weekend, barbeques are guaranteed to be the focal point of many weekend festivities. Proper storage and cooking temperatures may not be the top priority of the weekend, but given the fact that 1 in 6 Americans will contract food poisoning each year, it should be more highly regarded.TRANSCRIPT
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July Fourth Food Safety Reminders
As we enter into the July Fourth weekend, barbeques are guaranteed to be the focal point of
many weekend festivities. Proper storage and cooking temperatures may not be the top priority
of the weekend, but given the fact that 1 in 6 Americans will contract food poisoning each year,
it should be more highly regarded.
According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the week
of July Fourth will have beef sales of over $400 million. Once purchased, meat needs to be kept below 40 F to eliminate the possibility for bacterial growth.
The USDA states that when meat is stored between 40 F and 140
F, the number of bacteria can double within 20 minutes. This means that having raw meat sitting out while letting a grill heat up
can introduce harmful bacteria that can quickly compromise the entire product.
To ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature, refer to the attached chart. Because of varying cooking times for different types of meat, food may not be ready at the same time. In this
situation, hot food should be kept at or above 140 F until being
served. The FDA recommends removing the fully cooked meats from the direct heat source while still remaining on the grill to
prevent overcooking, but continue to maintain a safe temperature.
The storing of leftovers also poses possible risks for contamination. Leftover should never be left
between 40 F and 140 F, known as the danger zone, for more than two hours. Cooling should occur quickly to prevent the reintroduction of bacteria that can cause a variety of illnesses if ingested.
When reheating leftovers, they should be heated until internal temperature reaches at least 165 F.
This will ensure that any trace of harmful bacteria has been depleted and no risk for contamination exists.
By simply monitoring temperature, many food borne illnesses can be avoided.
MadgeTech would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!