When hosting a Super Bowl party, keeping food safe is crucial to avoid foodborne illness. According to Dr. Denise Eblen from the USDA, bacteria can spoil even the best game day feast. Make sure to store takeout or delivery food quickly in the refrigerator or keep it warm in the oven until your guests arrive. Here are some smart tips to ensure a safe and delicious game day:
First, remember that favorites like pizza, chicken wings, and chili should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is called the “Danger Zone” where bacteria can grow rapidly. To keep your food safe:
1. Ensure Safe Delivery and Storage
- If your food takeout takes longer than an hour to get home, use insulated bags to keep it warm.
- Serve food right away, or separate it into smaller portions and refrigerate it. Reheat before serving to keep it hot.
- When reheating, make sure meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If using a microwave, stir the food to heat it evenly.
2. Avoid the Danger Zone
- Serve some food during the first half of the game, then bring out fresh servings later to minimize the time food is out.
- Throw away any perishable food left out for more than two hours. To keep leftovers, cool them in the refrigerator or freezer promptly.
- If food is out longer than two hours, keep it hot (above 140°F) in the oven or warming trays, or keep cold food (below 40°F) on ice.
3. Cook to Safe Temperatures
- Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of cooked foods:
- Meat (like beef or pork): 145°F
- Ground meat: 160°F
- Poultry: 165°F
- Eggs: 160°F
- Fish: 145°F
- Leftovers: 165°F
- For chicken wings, check several wings with the thermometer to ensure they’re all cooked properly.
4. Follow the Four Food Safety Steps
- Clean: Wash your hands, surfaces, and utensils before and after handling food.
- Separate: Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cook: Always check that your food reaches safe temperatures.
- Chill: Refrigerate leftovers quickly if not consumed right away.
For any food safety questions, reach out to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. Staying safe will help make your Super Bowl party a hit!
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