Food safety is a must for summer cookouts 

 

Nothing says summer like family and friends gathered in the backyard or at the lake for a cookout.   

While thinking about fun in the sun and tasty hotdogs on the grill, it is a good idea to keep food safety in mind, too, said Ravi Jadeja, food safety specialist for Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center. 

“Inviting people over for a cookout can be a lot of fun, but summertime can be a prime time for foodborne illnesses,” Jadeja said. “Listeria monocytogens, a dangerous, fast-growing bacteria that can grow in both warm and cold temperatures, is one of the deadliest foodborne pathogens.”  

Listeria is commonly found in raw milk and foods made from raw milk, as well as ready-to-eat foods such as raw vegetables, deli meats, store-bought salads, raw sprouts and the ever-popular cookout food – hotdogs. Many people enjoy grilling hotdogs at a cookout and Jadeja has some tips on how to prevent Listeria.  

“Don’t eat hotdogs right out of the package. They must be heated to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit or steaming hot inside before consuming them,” he said. “Wash your hands before and after handling uncooked hotdogs.”  

In addition, try to prevent the juice from the package from touching other surfaces, foods or utensils. If the juice is spilled, make sure to thoroughly clean all cooking surfaces, utensils and cutting boards.  

After the hotdogs are grilled, keep them at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit until served. If the barbecue is an all-day event, keep them on ice until ready to cook and make sure to refrigerate or put any leftovers on ice within two hours of being removed from the grill.  

“If the outdoor temperature is above 90 degrees, cut that time in half and get hotdogs refrigerated within an hour,” Jadeja said. “If you want to reheat leftovers for later in the day, make sure the internal temperature again reaches 165 degrees or higher. Consume all leftovers within three or four days. If all leftovers aren’t eaten, just throw them away.”  

Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, loss of balance, confusion, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep in mind Listeria is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Listeria often requires hospitalization and is treated with antibiotics.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,600 people fall ill with Listeria each year and 260 deaths occur annually in the U.S.  

“Backyard cookouts are a staple of summer fun for many families. Using a little extra care will help ensure everyone stays healthy,” Jadeja said.