Super Bowl weekend is here! That means it’s time to gather around the T.V. with friends and family for the most anticipated football game of the year. However, what’s a super bowl party without our favorite game day foods? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), following Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day of the year.
With the big day approaching it is important to practice safe food handling when preparing and serving champion dishes. Each year approximately 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses. Food temperatures play a major role in preventing these illnesses. Foods that are left too long in the “Danger Zone” lead to the rapid growth of illness-causing bacteria. The Danger Zone is a temperature range between 40 °F and 140 °F.
Here are some tips the USDA shares when it comes to preventing foodborne illnesses:
- Avoid keeping perishable foods at room temperature for longer than two hours.
- Warm foods should be kept at 140 °F and above.
- Chafing dishes, preheated warming trays and slow cookers are ideal for heating dishes that will be served immediately.
- Foods that will be served at a later time should be stored in a preheated oven or be refrigerated.
- Cold foods should be kept at 40 °F or below when directly serving.
- When heating cold food, reheat to 165 °F at serving time.
- When cooking raw meat and poultry, use an oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.
- When heating meats, make sure they have reached an internal temperature of 165 °F by taking the temperature of multiple pieces in the thickest part.
Include these tips in your Super Bowl meal plans to intercept bacteria, and score with keeping you and your guests healthy and full.
If you or a loved one begins to experience foodborne illness symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, vomiting or fever, please visit our Urgent Care Clinic located at 9245 S. Mingo in Tulsa. For hours and more information about Utica Park Clinic Urgent Care, click here.