 | Derek Gann
has been with the Coleman Company for 5 years. He is a graduate of West High and is currently working on a Major in Industrial Engineering at Butler County Community College. Derek enjoys spending time outdoors either boating or active in sports. You can reach Derek at 264-0836. |
Outdoors
2004-01-01 09:18:00
Tailgating and safe food handling
: I love football season and tailgating. I'm concerned about food preparation and how long my goodies can go without refrigeration, etc. Can you help me?
ANSWER: You're right to be concerned about the food that you plan to serve others. One of the greatest dangers at tailgate parties stems from the improper handling of food. You and your family can breathe a lot easier knowing that you'll go home safe, healthy and happy, after a great day at the tailgate party if you abide by a few food handling rules: · When transporting food & beverage to your tailgate party, always use 2 plastic coolers, one for food and one for beverages. This way, with people continuously opening the beverage cooler, the food in the other cooler will stay cold and safe. • Never place cooked meat, fish or poultry back in the container that the raw meat, fish or poultry was in. Use a clean pair of tongs and a clean plastic plate or platter when removing the cooked items from the grill. • When marinating meat, fish or poultry, discard leftover marinade after placing items on grill. Never baste cooked items with leftover marinade. • Bring several inexpensive, portable plastic cutting boards. Use one exclusively for the chicken, meat or fish, one for fruit and vegetables, and another for anything else. Wipe them clean with paper towels at the time of use, and toss them in your dishwasher to sanitize when you return home. Wooden cutting boards tend to absorb juices and hold bacteria. • Use plastic bowls instead of glass, as well as plastic beverage containers. It is too easy for an accident to take place due to broken glass. • Bring a package of sanitary hand wipes and always clean your hands before handling food.· Place leftovers that have cooled in a shallow plastic container or in zipper locked plastic bags. Store in the cooler with plenty of ice and transfer to the refrigerator when you arrive home. • If you are not sure if food is still safe to eat, revert to the golden rule, "when in doubt, throw it out."• Lastly, use common consideration for other people and for your surroundings when tailgating. Always clean up after yourself and discard your trash in a proper receptacle.
