Whether you’re firing up the grill or heading to the park for a relaxing picnic, be sure to keep food safety at the top of your checklist with these helpful tips.

• Food safety starts with clean hands. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food.
• Marinate food in the refrigerator. Don’t use leftover marinade on cooked food unless the marinade is boiled first.
• Cook food to the proper internal temperature. To view our temperature chart, click here.
• Use clean utensils and platters to serve food. Never use the same utensils and platters that were used to cook the food.
• Keep grilled food hot and out of the temperature danger zone (below 140 F) until serving.

Picnic Tips

• Clean your hands before and after handling food. If warm water is not available, use disposable wipes or hand cleanser.
• Pack your cooler with lots of ice or freezer packs, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
• Don’t leave foods sitting out for more than two hours. In hot weather (90 F or above), food should not be left out for more than one hour.
• Bring a food thermometer to ensure grilled foods have reached the proper internal temperature.