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Make Your Super Bowl Party "Too Hot to Handle"

By Megan Roth

It’s here – GAME DAY! Put on your jerseys and your drinking shoes, the Super Bowl is upon us. But wait, do both with a bit of caution…

Yesterday we went over some of the health hazards the buffet-style eating so common at Super Bowl get-togethers can pose. Today, how to lessen those risks when preparing food at a home-based party.

As highlighted yesterday, food-borne illnesses are the greatest threat to such family-style events. Dishes that are left opened and exposed for prolonged periods of time are at great risk for contracting one of the many strains of bacteria known to cause such illnesses.

There are, however, numerous ways to lessen these risks. For starters, be smart about the handling of food. Wash your hands before, during and after the preparation of each dish and make sure all dishes and utensils are clean as well. Many people don’t think twice about using a knife to cut raw meat, rinsing it, then using it to open a package of cheese or chop up crudités as well. Unfortunately, however, even the slightest contact can spread the unwanted bacteria that may have been present in the meat juices, contaminating the food and putting party guests at risk for illness.

One way to kill such bacteria is to cook foods at the proper temperature. Chicken wings and/or tenders are a hot commodity at game-day events; but make sure they actually are “hot.” When cooking the first time, poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (beef cuts should be cooked to 145 degrees; ground beef and pork to 160 degrees). If you’re not serving fresh out of the oven, divide the food into several small, shallow containers so that it cools evenly when you refrigerate. Also important is the temperature of your fridge: it should be set at 40 degrees F (as this is deemed the safest in terms of keeping bacteria in check.

When you’re ready to eat, microwave until hot (warm just won’t cut it, for purposes or taste and safety). Serve promptly and never let food sit out for more than two hours as it presents an open opportunity for bacteria to thrive.

Follow these simple steps and you’re bound to have a butt-kicking Super Bowl party with good, safe eats.

But don't stop the safety train there. Many of you are bound to have massive amounts of leftovers, which is fine. But be smart about how you store and reheat. I was raised in a house where “we don’t waste food” but I’m smart enough to know that sometimes it’s better wasted than consumed. If you question the safety of a dish, toss it. But if you’re confident the food is uncontaminated, store it properly, consume within a reasonable time frame and enjoy!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on January 31, 2009 (boomark / email).