Food Safety Tips for Your Memorial Day Barbeque

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, so let’s take a minute to remember what this day really has been set aside to represent. It is not the meant to be the start of summer frivolities, but a day to remember and give thanks to those United States military personnel who gave their lives in service to their country. To those that have sacrificed so much for our country, thank you!

In some parts of the United States, it is also referred to as Decoration Day, which can be observed on any weekend in May, so that relatives may be able to attend the gravesites at more than one cemetery. This tradition began after the Civil War. Along with tending the graves, it also became a time for loved ones to catch up and have a picnic lunch while tidying up the sites of eternal rest.

With the long weekend, comes family get togethers, picnics, traveling and barbeques. It is easy to get out of the practice about the special food safety hazards that can occur while we are cooking on the grill, hosting our friends and relatives, or traveling and taking a picnic lunch with us. While one should always be mindful of food safety rules, it is easy to get distracted and overlook some the basics. Here is a quick reminder.

1. Clean preparation surfaces are necessary to avoid cross contamination, and this includes washing your hands before during and after preparation of foods. Never use utensils on cooked food that have touched raw food.
2. Keep cold foods refrigerated or on ice and hot foods should be served hot. Keep cold foods such as potato salad or any dishes containing eggs or mayonnaise in the refrigerator until it is time to serve them. While serving, set the bowls in tubs of ice to ensure that they stay cold, and never leave them out for more than two hours.
3. Use a food thermometer to ensure that your meats or cooked items have reached recommended USDA lethality temperatures. A list of temperatures can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart . When in doubt make sure that the internal temperature is a minimum of 165 °F.
4. Make sure that you refrigerate leftovers promptly in small containers, so that they cool quickly.

For more information be sure to check out some of my previous blogs for barbeque, tailgating, and party tips.

Are you struggling with what to prepare for your guests? Perhaps you need a quick dish to bring to a potluck? Check out these sites for great recipes.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/g35981119/memorial-day-recipes/

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1502/holidays-and-events/memorial-day/

https://www.delish.com/memorial-day-recipes/

If these don’t fit the bill, the classics are always a hit. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, corn on the cob, chips, potato salad, berries, strawberry short cake, and whatever is your favorite dish to prepare.

As always, wash your hands, stay safe, and feel free to share these tips with your friends and relatives. If you have questions or food safety concerns, please reach out using our contact page. Have a safe holiday weekend!