With the summer come the desire to go on an excursion, to make picnics, beach barbecues, picnics ... It's an excellent family activity, but, What needs to be taken into account regarding safety when eating outdoors?
Today we share five tips that you should keep in mind to avoid food poisoning: from the way of transporting and storing food, to those to which you should pay more attention if you are going to eat out.
Look at the product labeling
When acquiring a packaged food it is very important to read its labeling well because in it we can see, not only its expiration date or preferred consumption, but the temperature conditions at which it should be maintained and the duration once the container is opened. This will depend on the characteristics of the product and the treatment it has received prior to packaging (sterilization, pasteurization, vacuum ...).
As for the expiration date, from the OCU they insist on the importance of follow the instructions to avoid any microbiological risk, because in this case it is very perishable food with a risk of spoiling after the indicated date.
But if what is indicated on the package is a preferred consumption date, this means that after the date, the product may have lost properties, aroma or taste, but does not carry a microbiological risk as in the previous case.
Therefore, it is essential to follow the labeling instructions and dispose of the product if it has not been stored properly or is not consumed within the period stipulated on the expiration date.Food temperature
It's fundamental take care of the temperature of the product when transporting and storing it in our houseWell, at low temperatures, the growth of microorganisms in a certain type of food is slower or even stops.
In the OCU they give us some tips when shopping in the supermarket to avoid breaking the cold chain, such as leaving refrigerated products for the end, asking for food to be vacuum packed as far as possible, or transporting the purchase in isothermal bags if we are going to take it to reach our destination.
Once at home it is important know how to store food in the refrigerator correctly, without stacking or stacking them, covering them well and placing them in the part of the refrigerator that corresponds.
If we have decided have a picnic To enjoy an outdoor meal with the kids, we have to be very cautious about how to transport and store food, and carry out these simple tips:
Store food in a portable fridge, preferably using accumulators or cold gels. If you choose to use ice cubes, it is important that when they melt, the water does not come into contact with food.
Place the fridge in the shade, and avoid opening it unnecessarily
Store food in clean and properly closed containers
Always opt for safe food, avoiding those that carry raw eggs, sauces, unpasteurized milk and undercooked meats and fish
Cleaning and cross contamination
The hygienic conditions when handling and preserving food They are very important, as kitchen countertops, containers, hands or utensils with poor cleaning are a great focus of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
In this sense, we must store the food in clean, separated and properly closed containers, handle food with well-washed hands, use clean kitchen utensils, take care of the cleanliness of the interior of the refrigerator and cupboards ...
We also have to be very careful with cross contamination, not using utensils or containers that we have previously used with other foods, without first cleaning them thoroughly.
This is important to keep in mind when making a barbecue, since the same tongs, trays or knives are often used both to handle raw food as for those already cooked.
Be careful what you eat!
At the time of have a picnic at this time of year when the heat squeezesIt is important to know the foods that are most frequently involved in food poisoning.
Salmonellosis is produced by the salmonella bacteria, and is one of the most common summer poisonings. It is possible to find it in raw poultry, eggs, beef, milk and sometimes in some fruits and vegetables that have not been washed properly.
The way to avoid it is cooking food very well, washing fruits and vegetables, avoiding raw eggs or low-curd tortillas and not consuming milk that has not been pasteurized.
In this regard, some of the most recommended foods when eating in the countryside they could be the varied salads that we will dress at the time of their consumption, the rice, the canned food, the vacuum-packed and / or correctly regriferated meat, or the sandwiches, sandwiches and sandwiches.
Cook the meat well
Meat is a very perishable food that needs refrigeration and proper cooking to remove any germ that can cause food poisoning.
Toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, salmonellosis, listeria and E.coli are the main diseases that can be transmitted with the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, so it is essential that when cooking it, the temperature inside reaches 65-70º.
Enjoying a meal outdoors in summer safely is very simple if we follow these tips for transport, conservation and cooking of food!Live to the Palate 101 recipes to take to the beach and picnic
In Babies and More Symptoms of food poisoning in children, Salmonellosis: what it is and how to prevent it in infants and children, What is cross contamination and how to avoid it ?, Catalonia approves selling raw milk: the dangers for children and pregnant women
