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Labor Day falls on September 2nd this year. Labor Day celebrations at home or town parks are common. It’s a day of celebration and socialization, but have you thought about food safety?<\/p>\nLabor Day falls on September 2nd this year. Labor Day celebrations at home or town parks are common. It’s a day of celebration and socialization, but have you thought about food safety?<\/p>\n
Your parents are more susceptible to food poisoning as they age. A large outdoor gathering or picnic may be fun, but it also increases the risk of improper food handling. These are the things to watch.<\/p>\n
What Steps Are Taken When Cooking Meats?<\/strong><\/p>\n Grilled chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers are typical foods found at a Labor Day celebration. They’re also all prime for improper cooking techniques. Chicken must be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Hamburgers need to be cooked to 160 degrees. Hot dogs also must be fully cooked to 140 degrees.<\/p>\n Once cooked, the meats need to be served immediately or kept in warming trays that keep the internal temperature hot enough. Bacteria grow between 40 and 140 degrees. Someone needs to keep checking the internal temperature and making sure meats aren’t getting cool enough for harmful bacteria to grow.<\/p>\n Egg and Mayo Salads Need Refrigeration<\/strong><\/p>\n Potato and pasta salads with eggs or mayonnaise need to be kept refrigerated. Placing a bowl in a tray of ice water helps keep these salads cool enough. You can also keep the salads in large freezer bags in a cooler until it’s time to serve them.<\/p>\n Once people have served themselves, move the salads back to a cooler. This will prevent bacteria from spoiling the mayonnaise and increasing the risk of food poisoning.<\/p>\n