 Core
Training It's Not A Fad
Recipe For Safe
Summer Grilling
Fit
Or What
Skin Health
Naw...It Can't Happen To Me!
A Real
Pain In The Butt!
The Top
Ten Ways Exercise Can Help Reduce Stress
MBS
Member Interviewed By Family Circle Magazine
RECIPE FOR SAFE SUMMER GRILLING
By The American Dietetic
Association
CHICAGO – This
summer, more men (71 percent) than women (29 percent) will fire up the
grill, according to a national online survey conducted by the American Dietetic
Association (ADA) and the ConAgra Foundation. And more males confess that they don’t
always know how to prepare foods safely.
 Experts say the risk of food poisoning peaks during the summer months because
harmful bacteria quickly multiply in hot, humid weather and more people are cooking
outdoors. The ADA and ConAgra have partnered to raise awareness of the importance of
keeping food safe at home and for summer, to provide simple tips – especially for men
– to improve famous outdoor creations.
"Take control of food safety by changing old habits at the
grill," said Jeannette Jordan, ADA spokesperson. "To help ensure foods are safe
and grilled to perfection, consumers can practice simple tips. For example, use a food
thermometer to check the doneness of meat instead of relying on color alone."
Easy-to-Follow Tips For Outdoor Cooks
When it comes to food safety, anything below an "A" should
be unacceptable, yet only 39 percent gave themselves or the person doing the grilling an
"A" on safely handling meats outdoors. To help achieve a perfect score, follow
these four simple tips.
Wash Hands Often.
Although most people wash their hands before grilling,
nearly 50 percent do not wash their hands during meal preparation. Significantly more
women than men wash their hands throughout the cooking process. It’s easy to
transfer bacteria from hands to foods at the grill. Experts estimate that frequent hand
washing could eliminate nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness.
Tip: Always wash hands thoroughly, especially after switching
tasks such as handling raw meats and then touching ready-to-eat foods. Place a pack of
moist towelettes or a spray bottle of soap and water solution with paper towels next to
the grill.
Keep Raw Meats and Ready-to-Eat Foods Separate.
Most people (75 percent) use two separate plates: one for
raw meats, poultry or seafood, and one for cooked foods. Yet, approximately 40 percent of
men shake off the plate and re-use it for cooked meats. When juices from raw meats touch
cooked or ready-to-eat foods, cross-contamination occurs.
Tip: Use color-coded plates: one for raw meats and another for
cooked foods. Also, marinate meats in the refrigerator. If you plan to re-use the
marinade, boil it for several minutes to help destroy harmful bacteria. 
Cook To Proper Temperatures.
Eight out of 10 people don’t believe (or never
thought) that a thermometer helps meats taste better. Cooked to proper temperatures, meats
won’t be undercooked or overcooked. What’s more, using a meat/food thermometer
is the ONLY reliable way to ensure food is cooked to proper temperatures.
Tip: Always check cooked meats with a thermometer. For chicken
breasts, insert the thermometer in the thickest part, ensuring the internal temperature is
170° F. For thin hamburger patties, insert the thermometer through the side, ensuring the
internal temperature is 160° F. For steaks, insert the thermometer in the top center,
ensuring the internal temperature is at least 145° F (medium-rare doneness).
Refrigerate Promptly Below 40° F.
Three quarters of consumers believe correctly that foods
should not be left outside for more than one hour in hot weather (90° F). However, more
men than women believe that it’s OK to leave food out longer than one hour. Storing
foods promptly below 40° F slows the growth of bacteria and helps prevent foodborne
illness.
Tip: Pack food in plenty of ice in a well-insulated cooler,
and as an extra safety precaution, keep a refrigerator thermometer inside the cooler at
all times. Transport the cooler in an air-conditioned car instead of in a hot trunk.
Empower Yourself: Take Control of Home Food Safety…It’s
in Your Hands!
Top of Page
Back to Home Page
|
