CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With hot weather scorching the Carolinas, many people are looking to beat the heat by packing a cooler for a day of outdoor fun.
But before packing a cooler with food and drinks, you'll want to make sure you're taking proper precautions to keep those meals and snacks safe for your friends and family.
Whether it's something simple like fruit and sandwiches or you're packing food to cook on the grill, proper food storage is critical to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and bacteria.
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The FDA says cold food should be stored at or below 40 degrees to prevent bacteria growth. Foods like meat, poultry and seafood can be packed and frozen so they'll stay cooler for longer. If you're cooking meat, Czerwony recommends cooking in smaller batches.
"Just cook what you need so that the food doesn't have to be sitting out for longer than necessary," she cautioned.
Food shouldn't sit out longer than two hours, according to the FDA. If outdoor temperatures reach 90 degrees, food should only sit for an hour. Any longer than that and you should throw it away.
If you don't have any soap and after, doctors recommend keeping hand sanitizer nearby for everyone to use before touching anything, especially raw food.
"You're transporting the food, you're gonna be touching the raw food, you've been touching the car, you've been touching the utensils, you're touching these things," Czerwony said.
Atrium Health suggests separating your coolers. One with drinks and the other with packed meats this will prevent cross-contamination.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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