By: Richard L. Smith
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marks the end of slavery in the United States and is celebrated with community gatherings, parades, music, storytelling, dance, and barbecues.
According to information released by the USDA, ensuring the food we share during these celebrations is both flavorful and safe is crucial. Here are some essential food safety tips to keep in mind while barbecuing outdoors.
Food Safety Tips:
1. Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry, and eggs
2. Sanitization: Clean and sanitize common surface areas frequently
3. Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods.
Temperature Control:
- Danger Zone: Keep food out of the Danger Zone (40-140 degrees F), where harmful bacteria can grow
- Hot Foods: Keep traditional cooked dishes like collard greens, jambalaya, okra, catfish, and mac & cheese hot (140 degrees F or above) using chafing dishes or warming trays
- Cold Foods: Keep cold dishes like potato salad, deviled eggs, fruit, and vegetables cold (40 degrees F or below) by placing them on a bed of ice
- Perishable Foods: Store and refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours or within 1 hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees F.
Grilling Guidelines:
- Barbecued Ribs: Cook pork or beef ribs to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and let them rest for three minutes
- Burgers: Ensure juicy burgers reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F by inserting a food thermometer through the side of the patty
- Jerk Chicken: Cook jerk chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Leftovers:
- Properly store leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate them before the fireworks begin to avoid the Danger Zone.
Supporting Local Businesses:
- If ordering take-out from a black-owned food business, remember the 2-hour rule for safely handling take-out foods.
By following these food safety tips, we can ensure that our Juneteenth celebration is a safe, memorable occasion reflecting freedom and unity.