Good Lifestyle

It's the outdoor catering season, which means it's time for Juicy Cheeseburgers,Hot Dogs, grilled and creamy pineapplepotato salad. However, have you ever thought about when and how food can ruin if it's excessive in the sun for too long? It's probably not the first thing you think like you get involved with parents and friends in a beautiful park or in your garden to aa barbecueBut this can become a health problem if you are not careful, put yourself and other people at risk. You indicate about some of the food security issues that may occur, including the long food that can sit, we consulted Meredith Careothers, the technical information specialist at theUSDA Food and Inspection Security Service.

Here's all you need to know to give up the risk of foodborne illness and find out how long food can sit in the sun.

What happens to your food if it has been in the sun for too long? Why does it happen?

Legendary grandmotherChicken salad Can we bask in the sun for too long. According to Carothers, leaving food too long, even in the ambient temperature can invite bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and E. coli to grow, which could ultimately cause a disease of food origin.

"The bacteria can multiply quickly, doubling in number as little as 20 minutes, if the food is too long," she says. "There are bacteria that, if allowed to multiply, produce toxins that can not be killed by cooking or warming."

Restoration of remains The food of an outdoor picnic or barbecue in a microwave does not guarantee the safety of this bacteria either.

How long does the food have to sit in the sun so that it spoils?

Carothers says that perishable food or food that requires refrigeration, should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours because bacteria can start growing and at risk of healthy food disease. . However, in summer when it is often 90 ° F and above the perishable food must be removed from heat after an hour only.

Are there physical signs to tell you that your food is no longer sure to eat after being exposed to heat and sunlight?

"In terms of foodborne disease bacteria, you can not see, feel or taste harmful bacteria that can cause a disease," says Cout. "If you leave an article in the sunlight for two hours, or an hour so above 90 ° F, there is the growth potential of bacteria at dangerous levels and that the product would no longer be considered safe. . "

What types of bacteria can push on the food that spoiled heat? What temperature do bacteria flourish?

"Common food-sourced disease bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Campylobacter will multiply quickly between temperatures of 40 ° F and 140 ° F," she says.

What are the means to prevent your foods dangerous to eat?

Carothers provides a list of helpful tips.

1. Make sure your cooler is cold. Make sure your cooler is completely supplied with ice packs or frozen gel can help keep the perishable food cold. Pack perishable food directly from the refrigerator or freezer in the cooler.
2. Pack the raw meat at the bottom of the cooler. Make sure to keep raw meat and poultry at the bottom of the cooler, wrapped separately from skin foods and foods intended to be consumed raw, such as fruit. Meat and poultry items can be packed while being frozen, prevent them from staying colder.
3. Pack Beverage and perishable food in separate coolers.The drinks cooler can be opened frequently, resulting in the fluctuation of the temperature inside the cooler and to become dangerous for perishable food, so it is preferable to keep them separated in different coolers.
4. Pack the cooler to the edge.A complete cooler will maintain its cold temperature longer than that which is partially completed. If the cooler is only partially filled, press the remaining space with more ice packs or cooling. For long trips, take two coolers: one for immediate dietary needs, such as lunch, drinks or snacks for travel by car, and the other for perishable food to use later.
5. Limit the number of times the cooler is open. Open and close the lid quickly to stay hot.
6. Keep the cooler in the shade at any time. By driving, keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car, and once outside, place it in shade or out of the sun whenever possible.
7. To keep the cold foods, try an ice bath.The ice baths are an excellent option to keep cold cold objects during a kitchen, an outdoor evening or picnic. To prepare an ice bath, fill a saucepan or bowl with ice and place a container with food on top so that it is based on the ice. It is important to monitor the ice bath by draining water like melting ice and replacing ice if necessary.

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