Food Safety Tips for Independence Day Picnicking – National Consumers League

/in /by

Holidays are often busy times for people spending time with families and friends. With sunshine, good company, and fireworks to come, food safety might not be the first thing on your mind, but when picnicking and barbecuing it can be challenging to keep your food safe.  Here are a few tips on how to keep your food free from harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses:

  • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.  At outdoor temperatures, harmful bacteria grow rapidly.
  • Never save leftovers.  Discard anything left over.
  • Discard prepared food if it has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

For more detailed information on keeping food safe while picnicking, check out these links on “Safe Picnicking and Grilling”  and “Safety on Your Picnic.”

If you’re going camping this weekend, here is a handy checklist to make sure you’re remembering everything you need to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!