Coronavirus: How to stay safe while eating outdoors

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

Hockey India names Amir Ali-led 20-man team for Junior Asia Cup

Hockey India on Monday announced the 20-member squad for the Men's Junior Asia Cup, a qual

Harmanpreet Singh named FIH Player of the Year, PR Sreejesh gets best goalkeeper award

World Boxing medallist Gaurav Bidhuri to flag off 'Delhi Against Drugs' movement on Nov 17

U23 World Wrestling Championship: Chirag Chikkara wins gold as India end campaign with nine medals

FIFA president Infantino confirms at least 9 African teams for the 2026 World Cup

Hockey, cricket, wrestling, badminton, squash axed from 2026 CWG in Glasgow

MORE...

Coronavirus: How to stay safe while eating outdoors

Last Updated : 05 Jul 2020 06:45:36 PM IST

A girl eating food outdoor

Eating out? If you are planning a picnic, barbeque, or meal under the summer sun, remember to practice social distancing, keep a 6 feet distance from those who you don't live with. It's important to be cautious, protecting yourself and others from a coronavirus infection.

Also remember to pack your picnic basket with food safety in mind, as foodborne bacteria that cause food poisoning (also known as food borne illness) multiply faster in warm weather.

Follow these tips? by the US FDA to keep your food safe when eating outdoors:

Before your picnic

Defrost meat, poultry, and seafood in the refrigerator or by submerging sealed packages in cold water. You can also microwave-defrost, but only if the food will be grilled immediately afterward.

Marinate foods in the fridge not the counter-top. Never reuse marinade that touched raw foods unless you boil it first or set some of the marinade aside before marinating food to use for sauce later.

Wash all produce before eating, even if you plan to peel it. The knife you use to peel it can carry bacteria into the part you eat.

Fruits and vegetables that are pre-cut or peeled should be refrigerated or kept on ice to maintain quality and safety.

If your picnic site doesn't offer clean water access, bring water or pack moist towels for cleaning surfaces and hands. Don't forget to pack a food thermometer.

Packing coolers

Place food from the refrigerator directly into an insulated cooler immediately before leaving home.

Use ice or ice packs to keep your cooler at 40ï¿½F or below.

Pack raw meat, poultry, and seafood in a separate cooler, or wrap it securely and store at the bottom of the cooler where the juices can't drip onto other foods.

Place beverages in a separate cooler; this will offer easy drink access while keeping perishable food coolers closed.

Avoid loading coolers in the trunk of the car, as it can collect heat. Once at the picnic site, keep food in coolers until serving time (out of direct sun) and avoid opening the lids often.

Grilling

Have clean utensils and platters available. Cook meat, poultry, and seafood to the right temperatures - use a food thermometer to be sure. Keep cooked meats hot at 140 ï¿½F or warmer until serving time - set them to the side of the grill rack to keep them hot.

When removing foods from the grill, place them on a clean platter.

Never use the same platter and utensils for cooked food that you used for raw meat, poultry, or seafood.