Summer months are the time we all have lots of outdoor gatherings where there's lots of good food.  Most of us love to grill those hamburgs and hotdogs.  And what about that potato salad?  Like protecting ourselves, we have to protect our food from the heat and need take proper safety tips in preparing, handling, and storing food during these warm, hot summer months.  If you don't use proper safety tips, it could lead to a foodborne illness for anyone, at any age, which can be very serious.

If the proper steps are used when preparing foods of all sorts, it can greatly reduce yours and everyone else at your picnics risk from getting a foodborne illness. 
 

Food Safety Tips

• WASH YOUR HANDS - Always wash before preparing or serving food, after handling any raw meats, in between food preparation.  Washing of the hands with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds is highly recommended.
   

• TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Keeping all food cool is the key in preventing foodborne illness.  Perishable foods such as poultry, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products should stay refrigerated if not used within two hours.  Bacteria can grow rapidly with the heat but if kept chilled at a temperature of 45 degrees, bacteria will not grow as well.
   

• COOLER USE - Keep meats in a separate cooler.  Keep all food on ice until ready for use.  Keep ice for beverages separated from all food.  The same ice for keeping food cold should not be used for drinks at any time.
   

• CHECK INTERNAL TEMPS WITH MEAT - When grilling, cooking, or broiling meat use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the the meat.  Cooking the meat to it's specified degree will destroy any disease causing organisms.
   

• WIPE SURFACES OFTEN - This will help prevent the spread of germs that may have been left behind preparing meat or other foods.
   

• THAW MEATS IN REFRIGERATOR - Meats should never be left out in room temperature to thaw.  Bacteria will grows more rapidly in elevated temperatures.
   

• WASH ALL FRUITS & VEGETABLES - Cut out any blemishes or bruises.

If you are planning an event that is open to the public, you must contact the Cayuga County Department of Environmental Health or view Food Protection or email any questions to cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us.

If you have any questions regarding Food Safety please contact us at (315) 253-1560 or email us at cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us.