TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FOOD SAFE

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TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FOOD SAFE

Going on picnics and having a barbecue grill in the backyard are two activities people enjoy doing. But food safety experts say that people must know how to properly prepare and cook food. According to a study, uncooked and half-cooked foods contain bacteria that can cause serious illnesses.

To avoid this, experts recommend that foods that are served hot must be kept at a temperature above 140 degrees Fahrenheit while foods that are served cold must be kept below 40 degrees. Also, raw meat that is being thawed or marinated must be kept inside the refrigerator and not left on the counter. If you’re planning to use some of the marinade as sauce, reserve a small portion before you mix the rest of it with meat or fish. This prevents any kind of bacteria from breeding.

When grilling, use a food thermometer to determine if the food is already cooked. Different foods require different cooking temperatures. Meat requires 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the microorganisms. Fish must be cooked at a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, while poultry requires heat of up to 165 degrees. Grill only over medium heat. High heat will burn the food, but it will not cook it. It is also advisable to flip the foods often to speed up the cooking process and effectively kill the bacteria.

Serve food on a clean plate. Never use a platter or utensils that were used to handle raw food. If you’re going on a picnic, serve only in small amounts and keep the rest in a cooler. Desserts must be placed on top of bowls of ice to prevent them from spoiling. Also, foods that are not eaten after an hour or two must be thrown out.