Food Safety Tips for Memorial Day Cookout

Party planning for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend should include more than a menu and invited guests.  A metal-stemmed thermometer is as much a party essential as matching plates and napkins. 

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) wants you to practice safe food handling by keeping “hot things hot (over 135 degrees) and cold things cold (under 41 degrees)” to reduce your risk of a food-borne illness. 

Other safety tips include: 

• Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator
• Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before and after handling foods
• Clean all kitchen surfaces before you begin cooking
• To avoid cross contamination, use separate plates for raw and cooked meats
• Scrub cutting boards with hot soapy water after preparing food
• Use a metal stemmed food thermometer to ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature.  Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria (see below)
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving time

Source: McHenry County Department of Health