Make Sure That Your Cookout Doesn’t Have Blasting Effects

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and it is synonymous with picnics, fireworks and family get togethers. For those who do not live in the United States, July fourth might just be another Monday for you, but the food safety tips apply to everyone who celebrates a holiday in the summer. Typical fare for these celebrations usually consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, potato salad or macaroni salad, chips, dips, watermelon, or other types of fruit, popsicles, ice cream and other cooling treats. The idea is to enjoy these delights while engaging in other holiday activities, such as parades, swimming, town festivities, and during the evening, a fireworks display.

Food safety tips follow the same guidelines as other holiday picnics and barbeques.

1) Keep cold food cold. Do not let food sit out in the broiling sun. In many areas of the United States, it may be in the upper nineties to over one hundred degrees.

2) Make sure to wash all preparation surfaces, including your hands, prior to starting the meal.

3) Keep food and utensils covered to keep flies and other insects that carry bacteria from contaminating your meal.

4) Keep cold foods in the refrigerator or in an ice chest or cooler until ready to serve. Serve them seated in bowls of ice, to ensure they stay cold.

5) For hot foods, make sure that they stay hot while serving. Cook meats thoroughly, and ensure that they are sufficiently hot using a food thermometer and the USDA guidelines which can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart.

6) When storing leftover foods, make sure that they are portioned into smaller bowls or containers. This allows foods to cool quickly and prevents bacteria from growing.

You may want to check out some of my previous blogs for more details which can be found here: Tailgating – Great Memories vs Food Safety Accident Waiting to Happen, How to ensure that the Rams vs the Bengals doesn’t turn into a Zoo, Food Safety Reminders for a Fabulous Fourth, and Why It Is Important For Your Burger To Be Well Done.

Are you looking for new recipes or twists on the classic favorites? Check out these links for new or updated versions of your favorite recipes.

https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/g550/fourth-july-classic-recipes/?

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/july-4th-favorites

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g3380/4th-of-july-recipes/

It is always fun to try something new!

Food safety doesn’t begin or end with the meal. Keep in mind that during some of the day’s festivities, there may be opportunities that present themselves that allow for the cross contamination or direct contact with organisms that contribute to or cause foodborne illness. Those frog or turtle races that are so popular this time of year? A Salmonella hazard. Make sure that you wash your hands immediately after handling turtles, frogs, snakes, or other animals. How about playing or swimming in lakes or ponds? E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens can be found in the environment and ingested while swimming, playing near water, or from the soil or sand. (1)

There are more physical hazards that accompany our beloved holiday. If you are engaging in fireworks, or open campfires, please do so with care. If it is dry in the area where you are celebrating, make sure that you check the fire danger level. These can be found here: https://www.wfas.net/index.php/fire-danger-rating-fire-potential–danger-32#:~:text=A%20Fire%20Danger%20Rating%20level,%2C%.

If you are spending the day at the lake and boating or fishing is on the list of activities for the day, make sure that you are following the rules of safe boating, and have life preservers on board for everyone.

If consuming alcohol is part of the plan, make sure that you drink responsibly, have a designated driver, and remember that boating while drinking is dangerous as well.

We at Food Safety Basics, LLC wish a safe and happy Independence Day to all, whether you are here in the United States or in another country. If you have questions or topics that you wish to see covered, feel free to reach out through our website. Remember – Stay safe, enjoy your holiday, and wash your hands!

1. Government Relations Team. (2016). Fspca Preventive Controls for Human Food. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. A4-5-A4-6.