GOOOOOOOOOOAL!
It's the victory chant we've been hearing shouted from the roof tops since the World Cup began last week. There is something victorious and festive about watching the World Cup. Supporting your team (or your country!), having something to root for, and, of course, an excuse to throw a viewing party!
With so many aspects going into the preparation of any party, many overlook one of the most important: food safety. Food poisoning is not simply an upset stomach; it is a serious public health threat in America. Did you know the CDC estimates that about 1 in 6 Americans (about 48 million people) could suffer from foodborne illness this year?
We get so excited about the new dip we found on Pinterest or the new marinade we stumbled across from the grilled flank steak, that we sometimes forget to keep things cool or to cook things thoroughly.
Luckily, FoodSafety.gov has us covered. They are offering these 4 simple steps to food safety for game day:
Clean: When preparing party food, clean kitchen surfaces, utensils, and hands with soap and water. We’re used to washing our hands before sitting down for a meal, but may forget in a party atmosphere.
Separate: Cross-contamination occurs when raw meats, like your chicken wings or steaks, touch ready-to-eat foods like veggies. In the refrigerator, place raw meat, poultry, and seafood in containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods. When taking food off the grill or out of the oven, don’t put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry.
Cook: Cook foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer. That’s the only way to know it’s a safe temperature. For example sausages should be cooked at 160° F and poultry to 165° F.
Chill: Chill raw and prepared foods promptly if not consuming after cooking. Follow the two hour rule: you shouldn’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours and try nestling foods in ice to keep them safe for guests!
Good tips not just for World Cup, but for throwing parties all year 'round!
To learn more about keeping your party guests food safe, join the World Cup Chat twitter party on Tuesday, June 17, at 1pm EST—just hours before the anticipated Brazil vs. Mexico game! @USDAFoodSafety will be offering game-day party tips. Just follow the hashtag #WorldCupChat for the English chat and #WorldCupFiesta for the Spanish version.
