USDA Warns About Food Safety for Super Bowl Parties
With Super Bowl Sunday coming up – now the second-biggest food fest after Thanksgiving – the U.S. Department of Agriculture cautions that harmful bacteria can grow rapidly in food left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
“One of the biggest threats to a successful game-day meal is bacteria that causes foodborne illness,” said USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen to New Food Magazine.
Each year, contaminated food makes 48 million Americans sick according to CDC data. Large gatherings like Super Bowl parties require extra attention to keep guests from getting sick.
To protect guests, officials recommend a simple “halftime rule.” Put fresh food out at kickoff, then replace it with new dishes during halftime.
Don’t let takeout sit around. Either put delivered food in the fridge or keep it warm in the oven until guests arrive. Hot food needs to stay above 140°F, while cold items should stay below 40°F.
Good hosts use crock pots and warming trays. These keep food at safe temperatures throughout the game, lowering the chance of bacteria growing.
Watch out for cross-contamination. Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods. Clean your counters, utensils, and cutting boards between uses.
Rather than putting out huge platters that sit there, try serving smaller amounts more frequently. This makes it easier to keep food safe.
Once the game ends, pack up leftovers quickly. The USDA says properly stored food is good for four days – then it needs to go.
Time is crucial at parties. After two hours at room temperature, throw it out. In hot weather above 90°F, that time drops to just one hour.
