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Summer means lots of outdoor eating. So when you break out that special
equipment for your next picnic, cookout, camping trip or outing, don't
forget these important rules for summertime food safety.
Planning the Menu
- Plan to take only the amounts of food that you'll use on your
outing.
- With a cooler and ice, most foods are safe for short periods.
- Salads with store-bought mayonnaise are safe, if kept cold.
- Avoid creamy or custard foods.
- If a cooler is not an option, take fruits, vegetables, hard
cheese, canned or dried meats or fish, dry cereal, bread, peanut
butter, or crackers.
Packing It Up
- Start with a cold food pack right from the refrigerator.
- Always use an insulated cooler.
- Include a cold source in the cooler. Use ice, ice packs, frozen
water or juice, frozen foods such as hamburgers and ribs, or cold
fruit.
- Take along disposable washcloths.
- Plan to keep hot foods hot with a thermos or insulated dish.
- Use a thermos to keep chilled soups or milk cold.
On the Road
- Put the ice chest in the passenger area of the car. It's much
cooler than the trunk in the summertime.
- Keep the cooler in the shade.
- Keep the lid on, avoid repeated openings.
- Replenish the ice if it begins to melt (drain water if necessary).
Heat and Eat
- Keep food cold until cooking on the grill.
- Cook completely at the picnic site, no partial or precooking
ahead.
- Cook thoroughly: Meat and poultry should not be pink, juices
should run clear, and fish should flake with a fork.
- Use a fresh plate for serving cooked food.
- Be careful that raw meat juices don't touch other food .
Come and Get It
- In hot weather, food should never sit out for over an hour.
- Serve smaller portions, so food does not stay out of the cooler
too long.
- Serve food quickly from the cooler, and place leftover food
inside the cooler immediately after serving.
Repacking
- Leftovers? If there is still ice in the cooler when you get
home, and the food didn't sit out at the picnic, the food is okay
to save.
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Sandwich Chart
Brown bagging's a breeze with this handy chart to post on pantry or fridge.
A Pretty Palate
Color your menu with 5 a day the easy way.
Sunless Shimmer
Capture the glow of summer all year round with beautiful bronzers.
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H-E-B
Food Safety