High temperatures and improper food handling can create an ideal environment for rapid bacterial growth, posing a serious health risk. John Girvan, general manager at Alliance Online Ireland, has compiled a series of practical tips to combat this, covering everything from shopping habits to home storage. His advice will help to ensure food stays fresh in extreme heat.
鈥淧eriods of extreme heat increase the risks associated with improper food handling,鈥 says Girvan. 鈥淓ven small lapses in food hygiene can have significant consequences in warm weather. Our advice helps everyone, from households to hospitality professionals, maintain the highest food safety standards.鈥 Here鈥檚 how to stay safe and avoid foodborne illnesses during hot weather.
Five key tips
Keep it cool while shopping: Your attempt to protect the food you eat actually starts at the moment of purchase. Use insulated bags or cool boxes when shopping for chilled or frozen items and avoid leaving groceries in a hot car for prolonged periods.
Check your fridge and freezer: Fridges should be kept at or below 5掳C and freezers at -18掳C to slow bacterial growth. Use an appliance thermometer to check these temperatures, especially during hot weather.
Avoid the danger zone: Don鈥檛 leave perishable foods at room temperature for more than two hours 鈥 or just one hour if the temperature exceeds 32掳C.
Separate raw and cooked foods: Prevent cross-contamination by storing raw and cooked foods separately and use separate utensils and boards for preparation.
Be cautious with outdoor eating: Whether it鈥檚 a barbecue or picnic, ensure meats are cooked to the correct temperature and not left out too long in the sun.
Cupboard food to move to the fridge
As temperatures climb, some traditionally non-perishable foods should be moved to a cool fridge to protect them from spoiling or losing quality. Here are some foods you should pay extra attention to in higher heat.
Peanut butter: This can go rancid faster in the heat.
Chocolate: It can melt and develop a white 鈥渂loom鈥 when cooled again.
Bread: Bread can go mouldy quickly in warm conditions. Though storing in the fridge can make it go stale faster, it may be better than it going mouldy in the cupboard.
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and jam: These usually do okay in the cupboard but last longer in the fridge when it鈥檚 hot.
Certain fruits: Berries, for example, spoil faster at higher temperatures. Also, stone fruits (like peaches and nectarines) can ripen too quickly in the heat.
Open sauces and spreads: If the label says 鈥榬efrigerate after opening鈥, do it. In a heatwave, even unopened sauces may benefit from the fridge.
Cakes and pastries with cream or icing: These are much more prone to spoilage.
Barbecue safety
While Girvan mentions outdoor dining above, Safefood has also shared some advice around barbecues to ensure a safe, delicious, and enjoyable summer experience. “By following these food safety tips, you can protect your guests and ensure your barbecue is a success,” says Trish Twohig, director of food safety at Safefood.
Food safety should always be a priority when grilling and there are five common barbecue mistakes people make, according to Safefood.
Dirty grill: Grease and food residue can harbour bacteria. Thoroughly clean your grill with a brush and hot, soapy water before you use it and once it鈥檚 cooled down afterwards.
Leaving food in the sun: Perishable foods like salads, dips, and raw meat should be kept refrigerated until serving. Cooked leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.
Cooking frozen meat: Always fully defrost meat and poultry in the refrigerator overnight before grilling to ensure even cooking.
Mixing raw and cooked meats: Use separate utensils, plates, and cutting boards for raw and cooked meat. Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food.
Undercooking meat: Don’t rely on appearance alone. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken, burgers, sausages and kebabs reach an internal temperature of 75掳C. Alternatively, ensure meat is piping hot throughout, with no pink meat remaining and juices running clear.