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Game Day Food Safety Tips

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COVID-19 and Gatherings

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is spread by handling or eating food. However, it is important to limit close contact with people outside of your home, encourage handwashing, wear a mask, and avoid sharing utensils during events and gatherings. Get answers to other questions about COVID-19 and food and hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

Tackling a game day gathering? Play by these rules and keep the runs on the field.

Make sure your game day gathering is memorable for all the right reasons! Follow these six tips to avoid food poisoning:

1. Keep it clean.

• Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after preparing food and before eating. Also, wash your hands after using the bathroom and touching pets.
• Wash your cutting boards,external icon dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.
• Wash or scrub fruits and vegetables under running water—even if you do not plan to eat the peel—so dirt and germs on the surface do not get inside when you cut.

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2. Cook it well.

Cooking food to the right temperature kills harmful germs. Use a food thermometer to check meat, egg, and microwaved dishes on your menu.

• Make sure chicken wings (and other poultry) reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Ground beef and egg dishes should reach at least 160°F. Check the safe internal temperatureexternal icon for other foods.
• Follow cooking directions on the package when cooking frozen food in the microwaveexternal icon.

3. Keep it safe.

• If preparing food in advance, divide cooked food into shallow containersexternal icon to cool. This encourages rapid, even cooling. Put the cooked food in a refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible—always within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90°F).
• Keep hot foods at 140°F or warmer. Use chafing dishes, slow cookers, and warming trays to keep food hot.
• Keep cold foods, like salsa and guacamole, at 40°F or colder. Use small service trays or nest serving dishes in bowls of ice.
• Getting takeout or delivery? Make sure to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
• Divide large pots of food, such as soups or stews, and large cuts of meats, such as roasts or whole poultry, into small quantities for refrigeration to allow them to cool quickly and minimize time in the temperature “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.

4. Watch the time.

• Follow recommended cooking and standing timesexternal icon.
  • Areas of the food that are not completely cooked (cold spots) can provide a hiding place for germs.
  • Always follow directions for the standing time—the extra minutes food should rest to finish cooking.
• Keep track of how long food stays out for serving.
  • Throw away any perishable foods that have been out at room temperature for 2 hours or more.

5. Avoid mix-ups.

• Separateexternal icon raw meats from ready-to-eat foods like veggies when preparing, serving, or storing foods.
  • Use separate cutting boards, plates, and knives for produce and for raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
• Offer guests serving utensils and small plates to discourage them from eating dips and salsa directly from the bowls.

6. Store and reheat leftovers the right way.

• Divide leftovers into smaller portions or pieces, place in shallow containers, and refrigerate or freeze.
• Refrigerate leftover foods at 40°F or below as soon as possible and within 2 hours of preparation. It’s OK to put hot foods directly into the refrigerator.
• Refrigerateexternal iconleftovers for 3 to 4 days at most. Freeze leftovers if you won’t be eating them soon.
• Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F before serving. This includes leftovers warmed up in the microwave.

A Recipe for Fresh Salsa—Remember to Refrigerate!

Serving salsa on game day? Try this recipe for fresh salsa that uses garlic and lime juice. Remember to refrigerate any homemade salsa until you serve it. Nest the bowl in ice on the serving table or make sure you follow the 2-hour rule.external icon

Ingredients
18 fresh Roma tomatoes
1 medium jalapeño pepper, stem removed
1 small sweet onion, peeled
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons fresh garlic
2 ounces fresh lime juice

Directions

1. Wash your hands, and clean the cutting board and prep area with soap and hot water.
2. Rinse the tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro under running water and dry with a clean paper towel.
3. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
4. Finely dice the onion, jalapeño pepper, and garlic.
5. Chop the cilantro leaves into small pieces.
6. Combine tomatoes, pepper, onion, cilantro, salt, garlic, and lime juice in a bowl and refrigerate until serving time.
7. Enjoy!

Makes about 2 or 2.5 cups.

More Information

• How long can you keep leftovers? Check out the FoodKeeper App!external icon
• FoodSafety.gov: Super Bowlexternal icon

Download Infographic

Rules of the Game Infographic pdf icon[PDF - 1 page]