How Safe is Your Barbecue? 3 Leaving Leftovers Out
Datetime:2012-11-08 Hits:
How Safe is Your Barbecue? 3 Leaving Leftovers Out
Food Safety Sin Number 3: Leaving Leftovers Out
Always remember this cardinal rule: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. To do so, keep cooked food on the grill until it’s ready to be served, and keep cold foods on ice until they’re ready to be eaten. Cold foods should be kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit by using a block of ice, which stays cold longer than ice cubes. And since cold air travels downward, remember to put ice above — not just below — your foods and beverages.
Temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit are called the "temperature danger-zone" where bacteria can grow faster than you can blink an eye. The temperature of your food should never fall between these two numbers for more than two hours (or one hour if the air temperature is warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Refrigerate any leftovers promptly and in shallow containers, which expedites rapid, even cooling. If you are ever in doubt, throw it out!
