Touchdown Tips For Food Safety

It's tailgating season. Defend your pre- and post-game gatherings from their most challenging opponent: foodborne illness.

Wash hands before, during and after preparing food for a tailgate. Sing your favorite team's fight song while lathering with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Pack moist towelettes to clean up before digging in.
Always defrost meat in the refrigerator, never after arriving at the stadium. Pack meat products in one cooler and additional foods in another.
Keep raw meat and ready-to-eat foods separate. Pack extra or color-coded plates or utensils to help prevent cross-contamination while grilling and preparing side dishes. Use one set for raw foods and another for cooked foods.
Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your food is cooked to the proper temperature.
Keep a refrigerator thermometer inside the cooler at all times to monitor the temperature.
Throw away perishable tailgate items before heading in for the game. Foods should not be left outside for more than two hours. In hot weather (90° F or above) this time is reduced to one hour.

For more tips on how to prevent food poisoning while tailgating, visit www.homefoodsafety.org.