Food Safety During the Summer Heat

Protect yourself, your family, and friends from foodborne illness during warm-weather months!

Keep your hands clean when handling food!  Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds. If no running water is available, use hand sanitizer or moist towelettes that contain at least 60% alcohol.

Follow these cool tips to keep your food safe during warm weather.

“Cool” Tip #1: Bring on the Cold

Pack coolers with bags of ice, gel packs, or even frozen water bottles and keep them in the shade so that your food will stay cold and safe for as long as possible. Keep an appliance thermometer in your cooler to make sure it’s keeping your food at 40°F or below.

“Cool” Tip #2: Pack It Tight

Full coolers will keep your perishable foods cold and safe for much longer than half-full ones. If you don’t fill your cooler with food, fill the rest with extra ice. You can also pack food when they are frozen to maintain a nice, cold temperature for your snacks, even when it’s hot outside.

“Cool” Tip #3: Open and Close It Quick

Since beverage coolers tend to be opened more frequently, keep your drinks in a separate cooler from your perishable foods, and never leave your cooler open for long!

“Cool” Tip #4: When in Doubt, Throw It Out

As food heats up in summer temperatures, bacteria multiply rapidly. So, keeping food at proper temperatures is a must!  Never let your picnic food remain in the “Danger Zone” — between 40 °F and 140 °F — for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if outdoor temperatures are above 90 °F. When in doubt, throw it out!

“Cool” Tip #5: Remember Groceries and Food Deliveries

Don’t forget to keep your groceries and food deliveries cool when the weather is warm. When going to the store, bring a cooler or cold storage bag with cold sources to keep your food safe until you get home. If you get groceries or meal kits delivered, track their progress so you can bring them inside immediately. Check that the temperature of your perishable foods is at 40°F (4°C) or below with a thermometer, then put them in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.