Most Men Aren’t Following Proper Grilling Etiquette Outdoors
Let’s face it. During the warm summer months, men are usually the ones flipping burgers over the hot, smoky grill. Are men following the correct outdoor food safety guidelines? Chances are they’re not.
In fact, a recent survey conducted by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and its Foundation revealed that the majority of men confess to improper outdoor food handling. Men are more likely than women to use the same plate and grilling utensils when handling raw and cooked meats without cleaning them between uses. Mixing raw meat juices with ready-to-eat foods is one of the leading causes of food-related illnesses at home. Improper grilling habits could give everyone a bad case of foodborne illness -- commonly called food poisoning.
So, the next time your man fires up the grill, give him some simple food safety tips that will help bacteria from creeping into his famous outdoor creations.
Grilling Tips for "Clean" Cuisine
1. Wash hands with warm soapy water before/during food preparation.
1. Proper hand washing may eliminate nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness. Since bacteria can easily be transferred from the body to foods and surfaces, always wash your hands thoroughly, especially after switching tasks such as handling raw meats and then touching vegetables.
2. Wash plates between uses or use separate plates: one for holding raw meat, poultry and seafood; another for cooked foods.
1. The juices from raw meats and poultry aren’t always easy to contain. They tend to spill over and/or leak on foods and surfaces. Because these juices may carry harmful bacteria, using two separate plates will help prevent cross-contamination, a leading cause of foodborne illness.
3. Clean grilling utensils with hot soapy water.
1. After using knives, grilling tongs or forks to touch raw meats and poultry, clean thoroughly with hot soapy water before handling cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination. Too much hassle to clean the dishes while you’re cooking? Use two sets of utensils at the grill: one for raw meats and the other set for cooked foods.
4. Scrub the grill with hot soapy water before cooking.
1. Put a little extra elbow grease into cleaning the grill to kill any bacteria that may be lingering about.
5. Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of meats and poultry.
1. Relying on color alone to check the doneness of meat isn’t the best technique. A meat thermometer is the only way to ensure food has been cooked to the proper temperature. Favorites like steak should be cooked to at least 145° F, hamburgers should be cooked to at least 160° F, while chicken should be cooked to at least 165° F
