The 4th of July is a time for celebration with family and friends and it is important to be vigilant about food safety during your festivities. Food served outdoors can be an ideal spot for bacteria to grow, so follow these tips to keep your next picnic or barbecue safe and fun.
Transport Food Safely to the Event
- Keep food refrigerated or frozen as long as possible. When it is time to pack, keep food cold with ice or frozen gel packs.
- Consider keeping perishable foods in a separate cooler. Having a separate cooler for drinks will allow picknickers to open and close the beverage cooler frequently without exposing the perishable food to the warm outdoor air.
- Make sure you keep raw meat and seafood tightly wrapped to avoid cross contamination with other foods.
- Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
Hand Washing
- Set up a mobile handwashing station with a jug of water, soap, and paper towels. You can also use disposable towelettes, if preferred.
- Make sure all utensils and serving dishes remain clean and free of cross contamination.
Grill Safely
- Cook food thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Meat and fish: 145 degrees
- Burgers: 155 degrees
- Poultry: 165 degrees
- Be wary of marinades! Never re-use marinade that has previously held raw meat. If you need marinade for basting, set some aside in a separate container before raw meat is added. And remember to always marinate in the refrigerator, never at room temperature or outside.
- Do not reuse dishes or utensils. Never place cooked food on a platter that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood—the juice from the raw meat could contaminate your finished product. Always have a clean platter ready for serving.
Temperature Danger Zone
- Foods should not be in the “danger zone” (40-140 degrees) for longer than two hours, or only one hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90 degrees. Keep warm foods warm on the grill and keep cold foods in the cooler until ready to serve.
- If you find your foods have been in the danger zone too long, throw them out! No matter how delicious it is, it is not worth a trip to the hospital for foodborne illness!
During the Meal
- Be mindful of how long food sits out in the heat.
- If possible, serve cold foods in a shallow pan filled with ice. Drain off water and replenish ice as needed to keep foods cold.
- Keep food covered as much as possible to preserve temperature and ward off pests.
- Wrap and store leftovers promptly. If it sits out, throw it out!
Be mindful of food safety recommendations to make sure your celebration is fun and safe for everyone. Enjoy your holiday!
Written by: Rebecca Byerly and Elizabeth Shephard
Reference:
“Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors”. US Food and Drug Administration, 5 May 2024. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/handling-food-safely-while-eating-outdoors. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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