With higher temperatures in the summer, the general trend is that food poisoning cases increase as the warmer weather causes harmful food poisoning bacteria to grow more quickly. It is easy to forget about good food hygiene practices which would normally be followed in the kitchen, when barbecuing outdoors.
Don’t get caught out – follow these tips from your Environmental Health Team:
-
If using a charcoal BBQ, wait until the charcoal is glowing red with a powdery grey surface before starting to cook.
-
It is advisable not to cook frozen meat as this takes much longer for the heat to penetrate to the centre.
-
Allow frozen meat to defrost preferably by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
-
Keep raw and cooked foods apart at all times. Don't handle cooked foods with utensils that have touched raw meats or put cooked or ready-to-eat food on plates that have held raw meats.
-
Turn food regularly to ensure it is cooked right the way through.
-
Cook meat until it is piping hot all the way through, none of the meat is pink and any juices run clear.
-
You could cook the meat in the oven first and finish it off on the BBQ for added flavour. This is particularly advisable if cooking for lots of people.
-
Don’t add sauce or marinade to cooked food if it has already been used with raw meat.
-
Keep serving bowls covered to protect them from dust, flies and pets.
-
Wash your hands regularly, particularly after handling raw meat.
-
Keep salads in the fridge until just before you are ready to serve them. If your fridge is fuller than normal, remember to turn the temperature down. Additional chilled storage can be provided with the use of cool bags/boxes with ice packs. It is more important to keep these foods cold, rather than your drinks!
For further tips and to try out the barbeque quiz to see if you are 'hot stuff' when it comes to barbeque food safety, visit the Food Standards Agency website (this page opens in a new window).
Environmental Health and Licensing Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444371
Fax: 01483 444546
Email: environmentalhealth@guildford.gov.uk