(HealthDay News) -- A picnic is a great way to celebrate the warmer weather, but it's important to prevent food from spoiling and becoming a health hazard.
The foodsafety.gov website offers these tips for enjoying a picnic:
- Prepare a list of essentials such as a cooler packed with ice, a food thermometer, containers for packing leftovers, paper towels and a supply of clean utensils. Make sure the picnic site has running water, trash cans, grills and picnic tables.
- Thaw any frozen food in the refrigerator (never on the counter) or grill it frozen.
- Store all perishables in a cooler packed with ice.
- Wash hands before preparing food. Make sure any meat is thoroughly cooked. Check with a food thermometer.
- Never leave food (even the cooler) in the sun. Store everything in a shady spot and refrigerate leftovers as soon as you return home.
- Dish up grilled food on clean plates and with clean utensils.
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