The USDA has some tips to keep your food safe on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Super Bowl is a time to gather with friends and family to watch the sporting event of the year and enjoy a few tasty bites to eat. After leaving perishable hot or cold food at room temperature for two hours, also known as the Danger Zone, bacteria can reach dangerous levels and make you sick.
When it comes to playing on a team, protecting your teammates’ blindside is key. The USDA has some tips to keep your food safe on Super Bowl Sunday.
- Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot to avoid the Danger Zone. Cold foods should be kept under 40 F and hot foods should be kept above 140 F. Proper cold temperatures can be achieved by laying dishes of food in bowls of ice. Keeping trays in the oven or using warming trays can help keep food at the proper hot temperature.
- Follow the half-time rule and don’t serve food left at room temperature all at once. Serve half of your food during the first half of the game, and switch those out with fresh portions straight from the refrigerator or oven at half-time.
- Reheat your leftovers safely. Hot foods should be reheated to 165 F as measured with a food thermometer. When reheating in the microwave, cover the food for even temperature heating. To ensure that the food is fully reheated, check the temperature of the food in several places.
For more information, call the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at ask.usda.gov to reach a food safety specialist from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday in English and Spanish.
