Whether you’re a grill master or a first-time barbecue cook, food safety should always be part of your routine to ensure a healthy and happy 4th of July.
“Recent USDA consumer behavior studies have shown that individuals don’t always properly wash their hands or use a food thermometer,” said United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban.
“Show your family and friends that you’re a true grill master by cooking food to a safe temperature and washing your hands after handling raw meat and poultry,” Esteban added.
Ensure your food is safe to eat this Fourth of July by following these food safety steps:
Clean: Scrub the grill clean before use. Clean utensils and plates before they touch food. No access to a faucet? Carry bottled water, soap, and paper towels. Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Follow proper handwashing steps to stop bacteria from spreading from your hands to your meal. Make sure to wet your hands, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse, and dry.
Separate: Avoid cross-contamination. Separate raw meat and vegetables by using different cutting boards. Place raw meat or poultry on one plate and cooked meat and poultry on another. Don’t use the same utensils to place raw meat and poultry on the grill and take cooked food off.
Cook: Use food thermometers to ensure your grilled food is ready. Insert the thermometer through the side of the patty until the probe reaches the center. Color is never a reliable indicator of doneness. Cook food to a safe minimum internal temperature by using a food thermometer:
- Cook whole cuts of meat to 145 F with a three-minute rest time.
- Cook fish to 145 F.
- Cook ground meats to 160 F.
- Cook poultry (ground or whole) to 165 F.
Although frozen products may appear to be pre-cooked or browned, treat them as raw food and cook them thoroughly. Products labeled as “Cook and Serve,” “Ready to Cook” and “Oven Ready” must be cooked.
Chill: Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 F and 140 F — also known as the Danger Zone. Perishable food should be consumed or refrigerated within two hours (one hour if outdoor temperatures are 90 F and above).
With these safety guidelines, you can enjoy your delicious and healthy meals with your family and friends.
