As Memorial Day weekend officially kicks off the start of the summer season, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein remind residents to be a little more cautious about their food.
While the warm weather is a perfect time to barbecue, enjoy outdoor dining and go on picnics, it also presents opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. Temperature and time, as well as personal hygiene, are critical factors that can lead to foodborne diseases. Protect yourself, your family and friends from any potential foodborne diseases by following these health and safety tips:
• When storing or transporting food, keep the temperature of the food below 40°F or above 140°F.
• When preparing poultry, pork or beef, make sure that it is cooked until the juices run clear. The best way to check that cooked foods are safe to eat—including foods cooked on a barbecue—is to measure their internal cooking temperature with a stem thermometer. Poultry should reach 165°F on the thermometer; ground beef should reach 158°F; pork should reach 150°F and solid cuts of meat or fish should reach 140°F.
• Never reuse plates, utensils, cutting boards or any other item that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood for serving unless they have been washed in hot, soapy water and dried before use again.
• Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If some of the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion of the marinade before putting raw meat or poultry in it. Do not reuse marinade.
• To help prevent foodborne diseases such as hepatitis A, salmonella, E.coli and other diseases, be aware of personal hygiene. Do not touch food that is ready to eat with bare hands. Remember to wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, using the toilet or changing diapers. If you are ill, do not prepare food at all.
• Refrigerate any leftovers immediately. Never leave food at room temperature for more than two hours.
For more information about warm weather dining and foodborne illness, contact the Nassau County Department of Health weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 516-227-9717.
