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Food Safety in Extreme Temperatures

Temperatures are soaring across the United States with many places breaking records almost daily. It has been some of the hottest days I can remember with little breaks in the temperatures including even at night when often we get some cooling. Food safety in extreme temperatures is so important and can make or break a fun time in a matter of only minutes.

We absolutely love to entertain when the weather permits, but with this heat honestly it has been the last thing on my mind. The idea of standing over a grill just doesn’t sound that appealing and honestly no one wants to sit outside to eat no matter the amount of shade. Regardless there will be times this summer that we do entertain outdoors and I am always wanting to brush up on my tips for food safety in extreme temperatures.

Hot weather can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. The microbes that cause food poisoning flourish in warmer temperatures. Using a few simple food safety techniques will help you avoid food poisoning at your next outdoor gathering.

What Are Foodborne Illnesses?

Uncooked food or leftovers that haven’t been stored properly can play host to microorganisms. If you consume these germs, you can get very sick. Scientists know of more than 250 viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can infest food items and cause illness in people. Other types of food poisoning are caused by chemicals or other contaminants that get on the surface of the food. ‌

The most common types of foodborne illness in the U.S. are:

Norovirus
Salmonella
Clostridium perfringens
Campylobacter
Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)

How to Prevent Foodborne Illnesses

The organisms that cause food poisoning multiply quickly when food is at room temperature or warmer. During the warmest months of the year, food can quickly get into the temperature range that promotes microbe growth.

Clean often. Your hands can be a tool for transferring germs from one food item to another. Wash your hands often while preparing food or putting it away. Always use soap and warm water, and scrub your hands for 20 seconds. Make sure you also clean tools and surfaces in the food preparation area, including any cutting boards and utensils. Warm soapy water is effective at removing germs from surfaces. Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water.‌Separate meat from other ingredients. Raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood can all carry germs that cause food poisoning. They can transfer those germs to different foods if they’re stored or transported close together. To prevent cross-contamination, bag meats, seafood, and poultry separate from other groceries at the store. If you’re taking food to a picnic or barbecue, pack the meat products in a separate container from other foods and drinks. Keep them in a well-chilled cooler or insulated bag until they are ready to cook.

Get it hot enough. Cooking food to a proper temperature kills off any microbes that are in it. You can use a food thermometer to make sure you have gotten meat to the right internal temperature for safety. Different meats need different heat levels to kill off any germs:

145°F for whole cuts of beef, pork, veal, and lamb‌
145°F for ham cooked from raw
145°F for fin-fish
160°F for ground meats
165°F for all poultry, whole or ground
165°F for leftovers and casseroles

Refrigerate promptly. Get food into the refrigerator before it has a chance to attract new germs. Perishable items should go into the fridge within two hours if the temperature is below 90 degrees. If the weather is hotter than that, refrigerate food within an hour. Keep your fridge set at 40 degrees or cooler to prevent microbes from growing.

Also be sure to prepare for power outages if by chance a nasty summer storm comes up and you happen to lose electricity. You don’t want to run the risks of not only having no power but also being sick from a foodborne illness at the same time. That would be like living in a nightmare.

No matter how you plan to spend you summer be it outside grilling and chilling or indoors surrounded by fans and the air conditioning with your feet propped up enjoying a nice cool beverage prepare to be safe by following the tips mentioned above but also by keeping an eye on Make Food Safe for the latest food safety tips. Have an awesome summer and most of all STAY COOL and hydrated.

By: Samatha Cooper

Samantha Cooper