While celebrating the big game with friends and family, don’t forget these MVP tips to keep everyone safe.
Time spent with your loved ones huddled around the game, cheering for your favorite team, is the perfect opportunity to enjoy lots of good food. Practicing these food safety tips will be a game-changer.
It’s all about the prep
While preparing your feast, put your cleanliness into practice by cleaning your hands, counters and utensils thoroughly. When preparing fruits and vegetables, rinse them under running water and scrub any firm produce, like cantaloupe, with a produce brush before slicing or chopping.
When preparing dishes with raw meats, always keep them separate from other foods. Use a cutting board instead of placing the meat directly on your counter or in your sink, and have designated utensils only for raw meat. Remember to cook meats thoroughly based on safe internal cooking temperatures and refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Make your food last through the 4th quarter
Storing your food properly to keep it at a safe temperature is essential so you can keep snacking without the fear of becoming sick. You’re in the temperature danger zone when your food is between 41 and 135 F for more than 2 hours.
- Keep your cold food cold by storing it in a cooler at 41 F or below. Stock the cooler with ice or frozen packs and be sure the food containers are placed directly on top.
- Keep your hot food hot by wrapping it well or placing it in an insulated container to keep it at 135 F or above.
Pack it up
After the new champion is crowned, it’s time to clean up and head to the locker room. Always pack away leftovers kept at a safe temperature, and throw out the ones that stayed in the danger zone for more than 2 hours. Wipe down all surfaces and scrub your utensils in hot, soapy water. Don’t forget to clean out any coolers or bags you used to store or transport your yummy food, so they are ready to use the next time.
