Food-borne botulism claimed a life and made 18 people sick at a church potluck in Lancaster, Ohio, last April, and local health experts are offering recommendations to keep you and your guests safe no matter when or where your gathering takes place.
“Pay attention to your meats, you want to make sure that you are cooking your hamburgers to 160 degrees and your chicken to 165 degrees,” said Jennifer Wentzel, the director of environmental health at Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.
To prevent bacteria growth and potential food-borne illness, keep your food out of the danger zone, which is between 40 degrees and 140 degrees.
Also, wash your hand frequently, especially when handling raw meats, and don’t leave food out too long, said Wentzel.
“After two hours, you want to make sure you put any leftover food away, back in coolers or back in refrigerators,” Wentzel said.
If you aren’t sure how long the casserole or burger has been sitting out, or when in doubt, throw it out.
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