As we get ready to celebrate our independence this Thursday, there will be lots of fun activities. We think of the fireworks displays and the safety required to take care of those involved, but what about something as simple as the July 4th cookout? Have you thought about the safety needed there?
Meredith Carothers is a food safety expert with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Hotline. This service advises Americans on how to safely prep meals all year, but Independence Day is one of their peak times. She says one of the most-asked questions they receive is safe cooking temps for meats on the grill. Carothers shares some of those key thresholds on the thermometer.
While there are some different food preferences, you must keep a close eye on your food temperature. Otherwise, you could be asking for problems, especially with bacteria that could contaminate your food.
Carothers says the most shocking discovery that the USDA has found in test kitchen trials, is the lack of basic sanitary practices when preparing the food.
The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-6854). You can also go online to Ask.usda.gov
