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Picnic Safety

© Ann Silberman

Break out your wicker basket, it's time to have a picnic. Warm weather lends itself to outdoor dining, and nothing is more relaxing than a drive to a private area or a public park, knowing you have a basket full of goodies to indulge yourself with later. Appetizers lend themselves well to the picnic arena - a bite here and there while taking part in activities is much more fun than an egg salad sandwich. Whether your idea of the perfect picnic is packing the kids up to the park to play while you read a book and then calling them over for chips, dip and kool-aid, or if it's finding a secluded area for you and your loved one to dine on gourmet goodies, I will have links and recipes for you over the next month. I will also plan a special Father's Day picnic complete with recipes before the big day.

Safety
First, though, we need to discuss food safety before we think about planning your picnic

There are some things to think about when packing food for your picnic. Food safety is important, and there are a few basic rules to follow that will keep your picnic safe and fun.

Wash hands before preparing and packing food. Obviously, this is a good idea anytime you are around food. It is particularly important when unpacking food at your outdoor site - some antiseptic handwash is a good thing to pack along.

Keep foods separated. Raw and cooked foods should never touch, and make sure you use separate cutting boards if you are bringing knives and cheese. Most people don't realize that they should keep their implements separate too.

Keep food covered. Insects can carry salmonella, and we all know how those little critters love our food. Just think the movie "Antz" if you are doubtful!

Cook food completely. Foods not cooked to the proper temperature can carry bacteria.

Use the 2 hour rule. Eat your food within 2 hours of arriving at the site to keep bacteria at bay. Remember the mayo danger? Two hour rule will help you avoid that. If you pack in ice you should still be cognizant of the time.

Keeping your food packed well, and taking the proper precautions with hygiene will keep your picnic enjoyable.

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