Keeping Food Safe During Cookout Season

Summary: Every year, an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne illness and 5,000 associated deaths occur in the United States. It's easy to avoid food poisoning if you take some simple precautions.

Summer is the ideal time to enjoy cookouts and backyard feasts. Unfortunately, hot weather combined with eating outdoors can be a breeding ground for food-borne illness. Every year, an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne illness and 5,000 associated deaths occur in the United States. It's easy to avoid food poisoning if you take some simple precautions. Here are some ways to keep yourself safe: • Avoid cross-contamination. Do not let food not yet cooked come into contact with anything ready to be eaten. • When shopping, buy meat and poultry products last, and unpack them first at home. • Cook food thoroughly, especially poultry. Even rare meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 140