By Andi Anderson
With graduation season in full swing, many families across Iowa are preparing to celebrate this important milestone. While party planning is often focused on food, decorations, and guests, food safety should also be a top priority.
Anirudh Naig, state extension specialist for retail food safety and associate professor at Iowa State University, reminds families that food poisoning can easily ruin a celebration. “As you come together to celebrate this achievement with family and friends, don’t let food poisoning spoil your party plans!” he said.
To help keep gatherings safe, Naig encourages everyone to follow the Four Steps to Food Safety recommended by FoodSafety.gov:
- Clean: Always wash your hands, cooking tools, and food contact surfaces with soap and water before and after food prep.
- Separate: Keep raw meats and cooked foods apart to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to the correct internal temperature. Leftovers should be reheated to at least 165°F.
- Chill: Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
“Following these simple food safety tips will help keep you and your family and friends healthy and give you more time to enjoy the graduation celebrations,” Naig added.
These practices can make a big difference in protecting guests and ensuring a joyful celebration. By keeping food safety in mind, families can focus on making memories and honoring graduates’ achievements without any unexpected setbacks.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education