July 4th is for firecrackers, not foodborne illness

WASHINGTON DC, June 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — July 4th is for firecrackers, not foodborne illness

WASHINGTON, JUNE 28, 2022 – Pull out the grill and your red, white and blue because the 4th of July is here. That means gatherings, outdoor feasts, and good times with family and friends. When the meat is sizzling on the grill, don’t let food safety fade from your mind.

“Wherever you go this summer, don’t forget to bring your safe food-handling practices with you for the adventure,” said US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant Undersecretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin. “As temperatures rise, so does the risk of foodborne illness. Always remember whether you are grilling, camping or boating on the 4th of July, you should wash your hands before and during meal preparation.”

Whether you’re eating at home or outside at a park this 4th of July, hygiene is key to fighting foodborne illness. Be sure to wash your hands and sanitize your cooking area before preparing food. Safe food handling practices also help prevent cross-contamination. The summertime brings additional unique food safety challenges due to warmer temperatures. This 4th of July, keep hot food hot and cold food cold, and don’t forget your food thermometer.

Clean and disinfect

Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. A recently USDA study showed that 56% of the participants did not try to wash their hands during meal preparation. Don’t skip this step when preparing your 4th of July meal. Remember, hand sanitizers aren’t as effective as hand washing, but they’re better than nothing. If you’re camping and don’t have access to running water, use hand sanitizer as a backup.

Wash surfaces and utensils with soap and warm water before cooking and after handling raw meat and poultry. After cleaning surfaces containing raw meat and poultry…