Cheer your team to victory safely.
As you kick off plans for your game day gathering, remember these food safety tips to keep everyone cheering.
Good clean fun.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after food preparation and before eating.
- Wash used cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops after preparing each food item.
- Before cutting fruits and vegetables, wash them under running water.
Cook it thoroughly.
- Cooking food to the correct temperature kills germs. Use a food thermometer to check any meat, eggs, or microwaved dishes.
- Preparing or reheating wings? Make sure they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Follow cooking instructions on the package when cooking frozen food.
Handle with care.
- Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods when preparing, serving, and storing food. Use separate cutting boards, plates, and knives.
- Offer guests serving utensils and small plates to discourage eating dips and salsa directly from the bowls.
Watch the time.
- Follow the two-hour rule. When perishable foods are between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours, bacteria can multiply.
- To extend your serving time beyond two hours, keep hot foods hot (140°F or above) and cold foods cold (40°F or below).
- For hot foods, use slow cookers, warming trays, or chafing dishes to maintain heat.
- For cold foods, serve them in smaller portions and refill when they are depleted.
Take care with leftovers.
- Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours of cooking them.
- Divide leftovers into small, shallow containers and refrigerate them in a timely manner.
- Most leftovers last three to four days in the refrigerator. When in doubt, throw it out.
Simplify your Big Game spread with help from Publix. Check out our delicious recipe ideas and order crowd-pleasing platters, subs, and more.
Sources
About Four Steps to Food Safety: Prevention Steps and Strategies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 29, 2024.
Don’t Let Delivery and Takeout Foods Fumble Your Super Bowl. United States Department of Agriculture. January 29, 2024.