Summer Survival Guide for Healthy Families

Food Safety

Outdoor grilling is a summer staple, and following simple food safety steps can ensure your summer cookout is every bit as delicious and safe as it should be. Bacteria and other pathogens in food can multiply rapidly when exposed to warm temperatures, causing foodborne illnesses. Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds while cooking, and avoid cross-contaminating surfaces or utensils after handling uncooked meat. Always marinate food in the refrigerator, and don’t use marinade you used on raw meat as a sauce for cooked food. Ensure meat and poultry are cooked properly with a food thermometer, and know the safe cooking point of beef (160 degrees Fahrenheit) and poultry (165 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Review Date: 
July 18, 2014

Last Updated:
July 21, 2014