Many people are hosting buffet parties and open houses in the next two days. FightBac.org is offering a flier to help you keep that food safe. Make sure you follow the basic food safety rules of cook, clean, separate, and chill at all times. Wash hands and surfaces often, don’t cross contaminate, cook foods to proper final temperatures, and chill perishable foods promptly.
Refrigerate meat, eggs, poultry, and other perishable items as soon as you get home from the store. Keep cold foods cold by placing food dishes in larger bowls of ice. Arrange food on several small platters. This keeps food fresher and you’ll waste less food when you remove it after two hours and set out fresh. Always follow the two hour rule.
Keep hot foods hot by using warming trays, sterno cans, chafing dishes, and crockpots. All hot food should be kept at 140 degrees F or higher. And remember that the 140°F temperature doesn’t kill bacteria; that just stops them from multiplying. To kill bacteria in food, it must reach 165 degrees F.
Have a safe and wonderful New Year!
