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Health library

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Reviewed 9/29/2023

Cookout Safety

Don't let food poisoning cram your summer fun.

Chicken

Marinade: Set aside sauce for serving before marinating raw chicken.

Meat: Cook to internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Serving Platter: Keep away from raw meat.

Hamburger

Meat: Cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Cheese and mayo: Store in the refrigerator or an ice-filled cooler.

Bun: Wash your hands before taking buns from the package.

Lettuce: Wash greens—or use those marked "ready to eat."

Serving platter: Keep away from raw meat.

Potato Salad

Bowl: Cover tightly to insects away

Potato chunks: Cool in the refrigerator after cooking.

Prepared salad: Keep in a cooler or in the fridge until mealtime.

Fruit salad

Creamy sauce: Store in the refrigerator or an ice-filled cooler.

Melon: Wash before cutting.

Bowl: Cover tightly to keep insects away.

Iced Tea

Tea: Brew with water that's 175 degrees or hotter.

Lemon Slices: Wash before cutting.

Pitcher: Keep it insulated, or store in ice.

Ice: Keep ice for drinks in a separate cooler from meat.

Sources

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Washing Leafy Greens."
https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/wash-and-separate-foods/washing-leafy-greens.
Food Safety News. "Play it Safe with Hamburgers."
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/09/play-it-safe-with-hamburgers/.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Food Safety Belongs on the Grill."
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/05/24/food-safety-belongs-grill.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Food Safety Information."
https://www.sccmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/1655/Barbecuing-and-Food-Safety-PDF-?bidId=.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Have a Food-Safe Holiday Season."
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/11/08/have-food-safe-holiday-season.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart."
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Seasons Change, But Food Safety Shouldn't."
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2021/09/02/seasons-change-food-safety-steps-shouldnt.
Washington State University. "Food Tips & Info."
https://extension.wsu.edu/whatcom/food-tips-info/.