The Super Bowl is on Sunday, which means that people is enjoying football and food. However, it is important to note that some snacks can become a safety hazard if left out for a long time.
This year, over 100 million Americans are expected to either throw or attend a Super Bowl party. It is important to be aware of foodborne illnesses as they can cause digestive problems and even lead to hospitalization or death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 6 Americans fall sick each year from foodborne diseases. Moreover, around 3,000 people die due to foodborne illnesses.
To stay safe, it is always recommended to take preventive measures.
“Keep your hot foods hot and your cold foods cold,” says Meredith Carothers, food safety specialist at the United States Department of Agriculture. “Your dips, you could put on an icebath. You can put meatballs or other things in a slow-cooker to keep them hot. That’ll help keep those foods at a safe temperature where bacteria can’t grow and multiply.”
It’s important to be mindful of food spoilage. According to the USDA, if you don’t have temperature control, you should only leave food out for up to two hours. After that, it’s necessary to either refrigerate or reheat the food.
“You could put a smaller bowl of something out first, and then you could rotate that out after your 2 hour timeframe,” Carothers says. “When you rotate things out, you also have to rotate out or clean the utensil that it’s in.”
One suggestion is to set a 2-hour timer on your phone to remind you to keep an eye on the food. Additionally, using a food thermometer to ensure that the food reaches a safe internal temperature is highly recommended.
Another useful tip is to place a bottle of hand sanitizer by the buffet, especially since many of the foods served could be finger foods.
“Helps at least get some of the germs taken care of,” Carothers says.
When the party is over, make sure to store the leftovers in the refrigerator promptly.