4th Of July Holiday Food Safety Tips To Avoid Contamination

The Fourth of July is the most perfect time of the year where food and beverages are everywhere. People enjoy a great outdoor barbecue, traveling to see family and friends, while some choose to spend it at home. No matter what you choose to do on the Fourth, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is asking everyone to be extra careful when planning their menu.

According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, about 1 in 6 Americans, or 48 million people is possibly going to suffer from food-borne disease this year, which can result in about 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, Citizen- Times reported.

Although the statistics isn't really something to be cheerful about, it's worth remembering that eating in the summer is the time to consider the dangers of food poisoning. "Because food-borne bacteria thrive and multiply more quickly in warmer temperatures, food-borne illness can spike during summer," said Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Al Almanza, wmicentral.com said. "This is likely because people are spending more time outside - away from the sink and equipment in the kitchen that help consumers keep food safe."

Experts say that the "Danger Zone" is the temperature ranging between 40 °F and 140 °F. It is when foodborne bacteria can grow to their danger levels and cause people to get sick quickly. Leaving food out in the open for too long is the most common mistake people make, especially in warmer months.

According to University Herald, there are several food categories that your food menu can belong to.  And most of them may be more susceptible to contamination and foodborne illnesses. The Examiner wrote that if you're 4^th of July holiday will be celebrates outdoors such has having a summer picnic or a BBQ party, Holiday Food Safety gave tips on how to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold to prevent spoilage, food-borne contamination and insect contamination.

For hot foods, it is best to take along electric warmers. This will prevent the danger of foodborne illnesses and it will keep your food warm and ready to eat. Meanwhile, choosing electric coolers over ice chests maintain the coolness of the food better. Not only is an ice chest unsanitary, foods that have eggs, mayonnaise, or other dairy should not be under the heat of the sun for too long.

Holiday Food Safety Success Kit is a collection of helpful cooking and food preparation videos which can be used as a guide to plan your 4^th of July picnics. This FDA-approved kit's videos highlight proper internal temperatures, surfaces and hands between preparations, keeping foods fresh by refrigerating prompt, washing and dodging cross-contamination by sanitizing exteriors. Moreover, as it is difficult when grilling food to correct internal temps, Holiday Food Safety Success Kit also provided grill specific food safety tips.