Archive for May, 2009

I often neglect to highlight food safety in my newsletter, but anyone who has gotten sick from food would agree with me that foodborne illnesses are NO FUN!
Here’s what the American Dietetic Association recommends:
“Summer outings or weekends at the beach are great opportunities for a picnic, but before you pack up, make sure you know the basics of food safety.
“Food safety starts with proper food handling. That begins at the time of purchase and continues all the way to storing leftovers. When you get ready for outdoor events, remember the following:
* Wash hands before, during and after handling food. Bring sanitizing gel or towelettes.
* Keep cold foods below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Store cooked foods separate from raw foods.
* Don’t let perishables such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy foods sit out for more than one hour.
* Transport foods to the grill on one plate and off the grill on another plate.
* Store leftovers in tightly sealed containers.
“And finally if you’re not sure if food has spoiled, throw it away. For more information visit www.homefoodsafety.org.”
Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team