Foods that are not cooked properly, or are stored at insufficient temperatures, can cause food-borne illness. Trust us. Nothing ruins a great picnic like nausea or, well, an extended stay in the park’s outhouse two hours after dinner. Take these steps to maintain food safety on your picnic:
Regular hand-washing is the most important step you—and all members of your picnic party—can take. Soap and hot water is best, but anti-bacterial wipes can also come in handy.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
If you’re cooking meats, always keep them AWAY from all other foods. This includes cutting boards, plates and utensils used for cooking and/or serving.
The platter you use to take the uncooked meat to the grill should NOT be the same platter you use to serve the meats after they’re cooked, unless you’ve washed it thoroughly in between.
Keep foods covered to prevent contamination by insects.
When dinner is finished, return foods to the cooler rather than letting them sit out. Replenish ice if necessary. To check to see if ice is still cold, toss a few cubes down the back of your teenage son’s shirt.