Food safety tips for holiday picnics, barbecues

Submitted by Kane County Health Department

Think you're ready for a traditional holiday barbecue or picnic for this Fourth of July weekend? Unfortunately, some people don't plan on something that goes hand-in-hand in the warm summer months: bacteria.

“We want people to enjoy the holiday, and you can't if you're stricken with a foodborne illness. By following just a few simple tips, you can enjoy the food and festivities all weekend,” said Kane County Health Department Executive Director Paul Kuehnert. “Bacteria multiply in food faster in warm weather and can cause foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning).”

You can help prevent an unpleasant experience:

Wash your hands: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. If you're eating where there's no source of clean water, bring water, soap, and paper towels or have disposable wipes/hand sanitizer available.Marinate food in the refrigerator: Don't marinate on the counter #8212; marinate in the refrigerator. If you want to use marinade as a sauce on cooked food, save a separate portion in the refrigerator. Do not reuse marinade that comes in contact with raw meat, poultry or seafood on cooked food unless you bring it to a boil first.Keep raw food separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood in a separate cooler or securely wrapped at the bottom of a cooler so their juices won't contaminate already prepared foods or raw produce. Don't use a plate or utensils that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood for anything else unless you wash them first in hot, soapy water. Have a clean platter and utensils ready by the grill for serving.Cook food thoroughly: Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked thoroughly to destroy harmful bacteria. Refer to the Safe Minimum Temperatures chart for safe internal temperatures for foods. Partial precooking in the microwave oven or on the stove is a good way to reduce grilling time #8212; just make sure the food goes immediately on the preheated grill to finish cooking.Keep hot food hot and cold food cold: Keep hot food at 140deg;F or above until served. Keep cooked meats hot by setting them to the side of the grill, or wrap well and place in an insulated container.Keep cold food at 40deg;F or below until served. Keep cold perishable food in a cooler until serving time. Keep coolers out of direct sun and avoid opening the lid often.Cold foods can be placed directly on ice or in a shallow container set in a pan of ice. Drain off water as ice melts and replace ice frequently.Don't let hot or cold perishables sit out for longer than two hours, or one hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90deg;F. When reheating fully cooked meats, grill to 165deg;F or until steaming hot.Transport food in the passenger compartment of the car where it's cooler #8212; not in the trunk.Put these items on your list: These nonfood items are indispensable for a safe barbecue: food thermometer; several coolers: one for beverages (which will be opened frequently), one for raw meats, poultry, and seafood, and another for cooked foods and raw produce; ice or frozen gel packs for coolers; jug of water, soap, and paper towels for washing hands; enough plates and utensils to keep raw and cooked foods separate; and foil or other wrap for leftovers.For more information on food safety, vist the health department's website at kanehealth.com/food_safety.htm.