Stay Safe Eating Outside
July is National Picnic Month. Here are some tips to keep your food safe al fresco:
Since the trunk can get as hot as 150 degrees Fahrenheit, use the passenger seat for transporting food. If you can, keep everything in coolers, or better yet, on ice. Food hosts microbes between approximately 40 and 140 degrees, so try to keep it well below -- or above -- that range.
Keep raw meat away from everything else, ideally in separate bags, and don't put it on top of anything else, so nothing drips onto any other food. If you marinate, either discard the marinade immediately after removing raw food from it or boil it for at least five minutes. Pack and refrigerate anything that doesn't get eaten within two hours, or if necessary discard it.
By following a few simple tips, it's possible to enjoy the outdoors all summer long.