Preparing Food Safely for Your Summer Barbecues

The summer is here, and you have probably been itching to turn your barbecue on and spend an evening with family and friends, having some drinks and some great food. But before you dive straight into it this year, there are some things that you need to know in order to make sure you are preparing safe food for you and your guests. (Related topics: Florida food handlers card, Florida food handler certification, Florida food handler certificates)

The main factors which can lead to illness from consuming barbecued food are bacteria contamination and uncooked food. This article will give you some pointers in the right direction to prevent any of these problems.

Wash Your Hands

One of the most common mistakes people make when cooking is failing to wash their hands. It sounds rather disgusting, but you would be surprised to know how many people forget to do this. Washing your hands before food preparation prevents the spread of bacteria from reaching the food.

Marinade in Fridge

Ensure that the food you are preparing is kept cool up until it is ready to be cooked. In the summer, it can get warm and bacteria form much quicker in this weather; don’t just think that you will be able to kill the bacteria when the food is cooking as this is not 100% true.

Separate the Raw Food

When preparing the meat, do not mix it all in one container as this can cause cross-contamination, which may affect all of the food rather than just one thing.

Ensure Food is Cooked Properly

Uncooked food is a recipe for disaster, you should check all your food is cooked properly before serving. Consuming uncooked meat will very likely cause food poisoning, which is very unpleasant.

When you have all of these checked off, you will find yourself in a much better position to have a successful barbecue. Barbecues are fun events, but you need to bring your attention to the food to ensure everyone can leave with the same health as they arrived. Food poisoning can be very unpleasant, and you should take full responsibility in preventing anyone to obtain it at your barbecues.

At Brunswick Food Service Educators, we have over 35 years of experience as a Certified ServSafe Instructor and registered Proctor. Florida Food Handler Certification is required by Florida law for all employees. We understand that people are busy and the culinary industry can be very demanding and time-consuming; that’s why at Brunswick Food Service Educators, we offer same-day completion of classes and exams so you can get on with your busy schedule. For a more detailed look at what we offer or for class schedules, contact us at 561-703-7196 or 561-369-2622.