As the weather forecast improves, Safefood is providing crucial advice to ensure your barbecues are safe, delicious, and enjoyable.
Summer is synonymous with grilling, but food safety should always be a priority. Safefood highlights five common barbecue mistakes and offers practical solutions to prevent food poisoning.
Top Five BBQ Food Safety Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them):
- Dirty Grill: Grease and food residue can harbour bacteria. Thoroughly clean your grill with a brush and hot, soapy water before you use it and once it’s cooled down afterwards.
- Leaving Food in the Sun: Perishable foods like salads, dips, and raw meat should be kept refrigerated until serving. Cooked leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.
- Cooking Frozen Meat: Always fully defrost meat and poultry in the refrigerator overnight before grilling to ensure even cooking.
- Mixing raw and cooked meats: Use separate utensils, plates, and cutting boards for raw and cooked meat. Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food.
- Undercooking Meat: Don't rely on appearance alone. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken, burgers, sausages and kebabs reach an internal temperature of 75°C. Alternatively, ensure meat is piping hot throughout, with no pink meat remaining and juices running clear.
"Hosting a barbecue should be a relaxed and enjoyable experience," says Trish Twohig, Director of Food Safety at Safefood. "By following these food safety tips, you can protect your guests and ensure your barbecue is a success."
"Getting the barbecue right is all about enjoying great food safely. Simple steps like using a meat thermometer and keeping raw and cooked foods separate are key to a delicious and worry-free summer feast. Follow Safefood's advice, and you'll be grilling with confidence!" said Chef Adrian Martin.
- Check your refrigerator before shopping and discard any expired items past their Use By date
- Pre-cooking meat in the oven can save time. Ensure it’s fully cooked before grilling for flavour.
For more information on cooking meat safely and using a meat thermometer, please visit Safefood.net or follow Safefood on Facebook and Instagram.
