BBQ Food Safety For The 4th of July

The 4th of July is just about here! And one thing’s for sure – if your plans involve eating, we bet a BBQ is going to be involved somehow! But before diving into the delicious summer meals that so many of us love, it’s important to go over some food safety tips to ensure that everyone who takes a bite has nothing to worry about. Here are a few pointers to help you start the conversation with your family:

Separate food: Raw food and cooked food should never mix. When transporting food to and from the BBQ, use different plates (unless they have been washed thoroughly) so that the raw meat and finished product never come into contact – even if just a little bit.

Cook correctly: It can be tempting to take your hot dogs and hamburgers off the grill as soon as they start to sizzle, but just because they look done on the outside doesn’t mean they have cooked through on the inside. As stated by the FDA, hamburgers should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees minimum.

Store at the right temperature: If food is meant to be hot, keep it that way. Similarly, if food is meant to be cold, keep it cold! If you know that food won’t be consumed directly after it is prepared, make sure that it maintains the correct temperature while you wait.

Last but not least , always wash your hands before you get to cooking! Although this is a rather simple task that seems obvious, you’d be surprised at how many people skip this step! Especially if you’ll be spending the majority of your time outdoors, it’s important to make sure any dirt and debris is washed away before it lands in your food.

For additional BBQ food safety tips, please click here.

From all of us at Chip’s Family Restaurant, we’d like to wish you and yours a very happy (and safe) 4th of July weekend! And if you get a chance to stop by our location in Fairfield, Orange, Southbury, Trumbull or Wethersfield, Connecticut, be sure to ask us about our patriotic pancakes – what a great way to celebrate!