101 CDOS Week 4: Independence Day Published June 23, 2008 By Compiled from staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- What would the 4th of July holiday be without a picnic? Here are a few tips to ensure that you're outdoor feast goes smooth. Preparing food safely Wash hands before handling food and use clean utensils and containers. Dirty hands, utensils, containers and any work surfaces can contaminate food with harmful bacteria and viruses. Do not prepare foods more than one day before your picnic unless it is to be frozen. Cooking foods in advance allows for more opportunities for bacteria to grow. Cooked foods need to be rapidly cooled in shallow pans. Spread the food out in as many pans as is needed so that food is no more than two inches deep. Over 67 percent of reported cases of foodborne illness are due to improper cooling. Frozen foods can be used if thawed in the refrigerator. Cut melons need to be kept cold. Many people do not realize that melons, such as watermelons and cantaloupe, can cause foodborne illness. Bacteria, such as Salmonella and Shigella (common causes of foodborne illness), are often present on the rind. Therefore, wash melons thoroughly before cutting then promptly refrigerate cut pieces. Melons, unlike most other fruits, are not acidic and so can support the growth of harmful bacteria. Packing for safety Keep cold food cold. Keep cold food at 40 degrees F or colder to prevent bacterial growth. Keep hot food hot. Keep hot foods at 140 degrees F or hotter to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. If you cannot keep cold food cold and hot food hot, take foods that do not need refrigeration such as: · peanut butter sandwiches · dried fruit, nuts, unpeeled fresh fruit--apples, oranges, bananas · jelly sandwiches · unopened cans of food, meat, fish or fruit · cookies and cakes · crackers Wash your hands Pack moist towelettes if you think your picnic site might not have handwashing facilities available. Hands carry harmful bacteria and viruses that contaminate food and cause illness. Handling leftovers Because most picnic leftovers have been sitting out for more than one hour and have had many people handling them, throw them out. The more time that food has been sitting at unsafe temperature, the more likely harmful bacteria has grown.