With the return of warm weather comes the return to the barbecue! From sizzling steaks with roasted vegetables, to hearty burgers and corn on the cob, Canadians are excited to cook outdoors again. When it comes to barbecuing, here are a few important food safety tips to ensure you have a safe and healthy barbecue season.
4 Easy Tips to Stay Food Safe:(1)
• CLEAN: Wash your hands with soap for 20 sec before and after handling raw meats.
• SEPARATE: Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood (and their juices) separate from foods that won’t be cooked.
• COOK: Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of cooked foods.
• CHILL: Bacteria multiply fastest at temperatures between 4°C (40°F) and 60°C (140°F), so chilling food properly is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of illness.
To find out more about food safety, visit befoodsafe.ca.
Delicious and Healthy Eating Tips to Last all Summer Long:
• Choose lean cuts of meat and trim excess fat.
• Make a pitcher of refreshing NESTEA Iced Tea or NESTEA Sparking Punch.
• Add veggies! Layer the grill with a variety of vegetables, many of which are packed with antioxidants. Try creating ‘veggie kabobs’ with peppers, summer squash, and mushrooms.
• Serve fish as a delicious alternative to meat. Try fish such as salmon or mackerel which are packed with heart healthy omega-3 fats.
• For dessert enjoy a REAL DAIRY Natural Vanilla Frozen Yogourt cone or a couple of scoops of frozen Yogourt topped with fresh seasonal berries.
• Although barbecuing is all about food, you can work up an appetite by adding some physical activity. Play a game of baseball or soccer and get the kids involved – a fun time is guaranteed for all!
Reference:
Health Canada website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/kitchen-cuisine/barbecue-eng.php
