Summer food safety
Here are some tips to enjoy those summer salads, fresh vegetables and mouth-watering barbecued meats in a safe way.
During warm weather, it is particularly important to take extra precautions and practise safe food handling. Warmer temperatures result in a higher number of food poisoning cases each year. It is recommended to follow these precautions carefully, especially during summer.
- Always wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Be sure not to put cooked food items on the same plate that held raw food.
- Refrigerate leftovers as quickly as possible.
According to foodsafety.gov, these are the recommended safe cooking temperatures:
| Category | Food | Temperature (°F) | Rest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Meat & Meat Mixtures | Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb | 160 | None |
| Turkey, Chicken | 165 | None | |
| Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb | Steaks, roasts, chops | 145 | 3 minutes |
| Poultry | Chicken & Turkey, whole | 165 | None |
| Poultry breasts, roasts | 165 | None | |
| Poultry thighs, legs, wings | 165 | None | |
| Duck & Goose | 165 | None | |
| Stuffing (cooked alone or in bird) | 165 | None | |
| Pork and Ham | Fresh pork | 145 | 3 minutes |
| Fresh ham (raw) | 145 | 3 minutes | |
| Precooked ham (to reheat) | 140 | None | |
| Eggs & Egg Dishes | Eggs | Cook until yolk and white are firm | None |
| Egg dishes | 160 | None | |
| Leftovers & Casseroles | Leftovers | 165 | None |
| Casseroles | 165 | None | |
| Seafood | Fin Fish | 145 or cook until flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork. | None |
| Shrimp, lobster, and crabs | Cook until flesh is pearly and opaque. | None | |
| Clams, oysters, and mussels | Cook until shells open during cooking. | None | |
| Scallops | Cook until flesh is milky white or opaque and firm. | None |
As we age, our immune system weakens and our bodies take longer to recover from food poisoning. Older people, in particular, should ensure to follow the above tips closely when preparing their meals.
