| Are you looking forward to a wonderful | | | | |
| summer? Beaches, warm | | | | cantaloupe as the bacteria can come in |
| | | | contact with the flesh of |
| weather and of course - BBQ's.Along with the | | | | |
| relaxing atmosphere and ease of preparing a | | | | the fruit when being cut.COLD and HOTKeep |
| BBQ | | | | cold food cold and hot food hot.Food can |
| | | | normally last for two hours at room |
| dinner or picnic for friends and family come | | | | temperature, but |
| some well known | | | | |
| | | | that is decreased to one hour in warm |
| risks. You are likely aware that e.coli and | | | | weather. Cold food (potato |
| salmonella can cause | | | | |
| | | | salad, sandwiches etc.) should stay in the |
| symptoms that range from mild discomfort to | | | | fridge until ready to |
| life threatening | | | | |
| | | | serve. If the food must travel, be certain |
| emergencies. But why is this more common | | | | to use ice or |
| during summertime meals | | | | |
| | | | commercial freezing gel packets. Hot food |
| and how can you protect your loved ones | | | | should also stay |
| without ruining your | | | | |
| | | | insulated.When eating outdoors try to keep |
| summer?During the summer when we are | | | | cold food in the shade and be |
| picnicking or having a BBQ we are | | | | |
| | | | sure warm food is wrapped and insulated.When |
| not preparing a meal with the usual | | | | the food is no longer being eaten it should |
| amenities we have in the | | | | be returned to |
| | | | |
| house - sink, oven, fridge. Because of this | | | | the ice box or insulated carrier. Food |
| we are more likely to | | | | should remain hot or cold |
| | | | |
| forget to wash hands, store food properly or | | | | for as long as it is being served and then |
| even grab a clean | | | | refrigerated in clean, |
| | | | |
| plate to serve food.Here are some ways you | | | | covered containers. If you are not able to |
| can protect yourself from summertime | | | | refrigerate it within |
| | | | |
| dining outdoors:SEPARATEFrom the grocery | | | | a couple hours it is best to throw it out.If |
| store, to the cart, to the fridge, to the | | | | you suspect a mild case of food poisoning |
| table | | | | than try to limit |
| | | | |
| - keep meats and other food separated.Always | | | | the foods you eat to the BRAT diet: bananas, |
| wrap meats even when thawing to prevent the | | | | rice, applesauce and |
| juices from | | | | |
| | | | toast. In more severe cases you should seek |
| dripping onto other foods, especially | | | | emergency treatment |
| produce. Produce has been | | | | |
| | | | when there are signs of pain, vomiting for |
| identified as a culprit in some food | | | | several hours or |
| poisoning cases.WASHWash hands, cutting | | | | |
| boards, dishes and food.Always wash your | | | | bloody diarrhea. Pregnant women, elderly, |
| hands before and after preparing foods. Never | | | | those with immune |
| | | | |
| serve cooked meat on the same plate or tray | | | | disorders and children are more at risk.Food |
| that you had it on | | | | safety is an important part of a fun summer. |
| | | | Taking |
| when raw - make sure the resident BBQ expert | | | | |
| is given a clean | | | | precautions will help you enjoy your meals |
| | | | and avoid serious |
| plate to place the finished product on. Also | | | | |
| thoroughly clean | | | | consequences.The information contained in |
| | | | this article is for educational purposes |
| knives and cutting boards. Ideally you | | | | |
| should use a separate | | | | only and is not intended to medically |
| | | | diagnose, treat or cure any |
| cutting board for bread and produce and | | | | |
| another for meat | | | | disease. Consult a health care practitioner |
| | | | before beginning any |
| products.Wash produce in cold water and | | | | |
| scrub thick skinned foods like | | | | health care program. |