Food Safety Tips

February 15, 2021

1115

Food Safety Tips for Picnics

Picnic is an essential part of summer fun. It is always relaxing to indulge in cooking with each other to be outside and to enjoy your friends and family. Picnics are a great way to capitalize on the fresh air and sunshine, which are not always available depending on where you live. Food Safety Tips!

If you are planning a picnic, here are some things you need to know about food safety beforehand.

Table of Contents

How Long is Food Safe?

Talking about storage and maintenance, each type of food has different rules. Some foods are safe to sit outside for hours at a time and even eat overnight. Other foods are touching, must be kept at a certain temperature, and risk of spoiling quickly if otherwise stored.

Bacteria grow best between 40 and 140 degrees F, and if you leave the food for more than two hours, you run the risk of ending up with a bad case of food poisoning. If the outside temperature is warmer than 90 degrees, the food should not exceed one hour.

Another important thing to remember is that food that is sitting outside should never be put back in the fridge or used, rather it should be thrown out. When it has been decided how long the meal can sit, be sure to include driving time to get to the function.

How to Prolong Food Life and Other Food Safety Tips

Plan ahead about how to take any kind of food on a picnic. Even if the food is normally fine at room temperature, picnics expose it to greater heat than usual with sunlight and various insects, and other contaminants. Food Safety Tips!

Always use containers in which the lid is to be used when no one is using it, as it will help in proper heat control and help keep germs out. When food needs refrigeration, be sure to keep it either in a thermos that will keep it cold or on ice. Be sure to take appropriate utensils to avoid a situation where individuals start using their cutlery to remove food from the dish.

To Take Food

Most fruits and vegetables do not require refrigeration. Along with the fact that they are healthy and contain many vitamins and minerals, this makes them a great choice for picnics. Bread may be slightly dry but cures with varying temperatures. The hard cheese lasts quite well until the sun shines directly on it.

Ate Food

Some of the worst foods to take on a picnic include anything with meat, as there are dangers of its spoilage. Although potato salad makes it for almost every picnic, it is a poor choice – not only because of eggs, but mayonnaise can deteriorate very quickly. Keep an eye open for any food items that have serious health hazards due to compromised storage temperatures or not catching up well under critical conditions.

A picnic can be great fun, because what’s better than fresh air, sunshine, exercise and some great food to indulge with friends? However, food safety should always be at the forefront. With a little knowledge and a little pre-planning, you can make your next picnic both delicious and event-free.