Summer Food Safety Tips From the Chester Board of Health

With the summer heat in full swing, bacteria love a good picnic just as much as we do. Here are a few quick tips for food safety:

• Wash Your Produce: Rinse all fresh fruits and veggies under running tap water before cutting or eating them—even things with skins or rinds you don't eat, like watermelons and avocados! Cutting through a dirty rind can transfer bacteria right onto the knife and into the fruit.
• Don’t Leave Food Out in the Heat: Don't leave perishable food sitting out in the sun. When in doubt, chill it out!
• Keep Raw and Cooked Separate: Use separate plates and utensils for raw meats and cooked foods.
• Pack the Cooler Smart: Keep drinks in one cooler and perishable foods in another. The drink cooler gets opened way more often, which lets the cold air escape!
• Wash Your Hands: It sounds simple, but it’s important. Keep antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer with you for when you may not have access to a sink.