Warmer days and more time outside! My favorite place to eat is out doors. This quick note especially for folks in warmer areas is to keep cold foods below 40 F and hot foods above 135 F. These temps allow food to remain without ice or heat for 4 hours if the ambient temperature is below 70 degrees F once the temperatures go above 70 degrees caution is very important and ice and heat should be used. Last thing we want to happen is to spend the week after a fun outing or dinner al fresco with food poisoning. Foods with acidic ingredients such as lemons, oranges, vinegar and others can provide some protection.
Always transport food to outing in insulated containers and don't leave in your vehicle. Cook what you are going to eat and don't stack up large piles of cooked foods to the side of a grill, remember bacteria are much tougher than we are and many can survive with (Aerobic) or without oxygen (Anaerobic) and they can be deadly especially for young children, pregnant women, older individuals as well as persons with immune compromised conditions.
Add a food thermometer to your picnic basket and don't let anyone tease you, they may thank you some day! Oops I need to pack them more often as well!
Always transport food to outing in insulated containers and don't leave in your vehicle. Cook what you are going to eat and don't stack up large piles of cooked foods to the side of a grill, remember bacteria are much tougher than we are and many can survive with (Aerobic) or without oxygen (Anaerobic) and they can be deadly especially for young children, pregnant women, older individuals as well as persons with immune compromised conditions.
Add a food thermometer to your picnic basket and don't let anyone tease you, they may thank you some day! Oops I need to pack them more often as well!