Fans react as they watch the San Francisco 49ers play the Kansas City Chiefs during a Super Bowl LIV watch party at SPIN San Francisco on February 2, 2020 in San Francisco, California.
Americans have one thing in common and agree to one thing even though humanity is facing adversity right now: Super Bowl. It is an occasion where people get to gather and prepare their watch parties at home. But if you are the one assigned to be the host this year, you might need some food safety tips to ensure that your family and friends will be safe with the food you will prepare.
From the main course to dessert, food safety is essential to avoid foodborne illnesses that will spoil the fun Super Bowl will offer. Here are food safety tips you need to observe to have an extra fun super bowl experience.
Washing Hands
Washing hands is very important, especially even when COVID-19 is not yet emerging. However, most people overlook this process. Real Simple shares that washing hands is very important before, during, and after handling food, especially if you will hold onto raw foods like meat, fish, and even frozen foods. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares how to properly wash the hands:
- Wet the hands with clean running water and apply soap.
- Lather your hands and scrub the backs, between fingers, and underneath the nails for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands with clean running water dry using a clean towel or air dry them.
Invest in a Food thermometer
The traditional way of cooking is to base the appearance of the food in the pan if it is already cooked. But with the advancement of technology, food thermometers are now available to monitor your food's temperature.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is essential to utilize food thermometers to prevent food that is undercooked and assure that the food reached the safe minimum internal temperature to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Read also: 5 Dangerous Food Fallacies and Practices
Temperature Danger Zone
FSIS reports that the temperature between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the danger zone as bacteria may grow within these temperatures and double their number in 20 minutes. They also remind them to never leave the food out of the refrigerator for over 2 hours.
This should also be applied to orders which are delivered. It's either you heat them or put them in the fridge when you are not going to eat them yet.
Real Simple shares that reheating them in the microwave should allow them to have enough space to avoid cold spots. They also recommend using food thermometers in case you are going to heat them on the pan.
Keep Hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
In an interview with Real Simple, public affairs specialist from the USDA, Veronika Pfaeffle shares that cold foods should be continued to be cold by placing them in ice to ensure their quality. On that note, Pfaeffle furthers that hot foods must be kept warm 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
Leftovers
Pfaeffle adds in the interview that placing leftovers in smaller containers and portions cools the food quicker, preventing them from entering the danger zone, which can be dangerous for your guests and family's health.
Keeping these food safety tips in mind will make your family secure while watching the Super Bowl. Hosting parties like this are a challenge, but nothing comes better with good food, prepared safely and correctly.
Related article: Leftovers: How Long Should You Keep Them?
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