July 29, 2022
“Food nerd” and SIU expert offers tips for safe summer outdoor dining
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Summer invites us to spend more time at picnics and barbecues, relaxing with friends and family while letting the kids expend some energy playing. Niki Davis, program manager for hospitality, tourism and event management at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and professor of practice, offers a few tips to ensure a safe experience for everyone and avoid ending the day with food poisoning.
Eight tips for a safe picnic
1 – start with clean hands
If you expect a large crowd, set up a handwashing station with a beverage cooler with a spout for running water and provide hand soap and paper towels. Hand sanitizing wipes or hand wipes will work well for a small crowd or for your family.
two – pack safe
Pack cold foods in a different cooler than the one you use for your drinks. The beverage cooler tends to be opened regularly, which makes the ice melt more quickly. This same ice is also touched by many hands. Keeping food and drinks in separate coolers will help keep food at the correct temperature since the lid will stay closed and prevent the possibility of contamination from drinkers. If you bring hot and cold foods to your picnic, store them in separate coolers.
3 – Keep calm
Keep cold foods cold. Cold salads and other dishes should be kept in a cooler at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below until the time the food is served. To keep food cold, fill your cooler no more than two-thirds full of food, leaving the rest of the space available for ice packs. Keep an oven thermometer in your cooler to monitor the temperature.
4 – Ice, baby, ice
Ice can carry bacteria just like food. Use ice packs to keep food cold. When using ice to cool drinks in an ice chest, keep it separate from ice used in drinks. Use an ice scoop or scoop with any ice used to fill glasses or bottles. Freeze water in reusable water bottles to use as ice packs for cold foods. When the ice starts to melt, you’ll have extra bottles of water.
5 – I like it hot
Keep hot foods hot. Hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to prevent harmful bacteria from invading your food. Properly packing hot foods in a cooler will help maintain their temperature. Preheat your cooler with hot water to help maintain the internal temperature longer. Pack your food while it’s hot and use towels to fill any empty space. This will help further isolate the food.
6 – Check the time
Food should not stand for more than 2 hours; after that, the risk of foodborne illness begins to increase. If the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the food should sit for no more than an hour. Serve foods in small batches so you can keep everything at the right temperature for as long as possible. Discard any food that has been out too long to keep everyone safe.
7 – Support sustainability
Disposable plates, cups, and cutlery are commonly used at picnics; the result is garbage for the landfill. Do the environment a favor. If you choose this route, use compostable products like bamboo cutlery that can be recycled. Another great option is to invest in a picnic basket that has Melmac or melamine plates and reusable cutlery that you can wash and reuse at every picnic.
8 – Know the symptoms
While we plan for the best, it’s important to know the symptoms of food poisoning, just in case things go wrong despite our best efforts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms can occur as soon as 30 minutes or as long as several weeks after consuming spoiled food, depending on the bacteria you’re exposed to. Nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea are common symptoms. Seek medical attention for severe symptoms or if they persist for more than 3 days.
With careful planning, packing, and coordination, you and your family and friends can enjoy a fun and safe summer picnic experience.
Source: news.siu.edu