Food safety tips for your next outdoor family meal

When planning a family cookout or packing a picnic to enjoy at the park, pool or beach, keep food safety in mind.

Children under age 5 are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from contaminated food. Food poisoning tends to be more common in the summer. It’s when more people cook and enjoy meals outdoors, away from refrigerators, sinks and thermometers.

Food poisoning happens when germs get into foods we eat. This can occur anywhere along the way from harvesting and processing food to our own kitchens if food is not handled or cooked properly. Contamination of food during harvesting and processing can result in large outbreaks as we recently have seen with cucumbers carrying Salmonella. During warmer weather months, germs can multiply quickly on food.

Foods that commonly cause food poisoning include raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish, eggs and dough; processed meats like hot dogs and deli meats; unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and juices; raw fruits, vegetables, seed sprouts and nuts; honey; and powdered infant formula

To avoid food poisoning and contamination, food safety experts urge people to wash hands before cooking and clean all surfaces where food will be prepared and served (at home and when you are away). Also:

Use separate coolers based on the temperature and type of food or drink. For example:

When you get to your picnic site, if possible, place the food coolers in a shaded area and keep them closed. This will help avoid exposing food to changes in temperature. Until it is served, cold food should be kept under 40 degrees Fahrenheit and hot food should be kept at or above 140 degrees.

Put leftovers back into coolers to keep bacteria from multiplying. Know when to throw away food that is left out at room temperature. Hot and cold food should not sit out for longer than two hours or one hour if outdoor temperatures are above 90 degrees.

Young children, pregnant people, people with immune conditions and the elderly have a higher risk of food poisoning. Include safer options on the menu for those at high risk if they get sick, such as:

Eating uncooked or undercooked food can make people sick. To kill germs on meat and seafood, grill to the recommended temperature:

Even with careful planning, food can get contaminated. Symptoms of food poisoning are a lot like other intestinal illnesses. They can start within a few hours after you eat or can take a few days to make you sick.

You may have stomach cramps, feel nauseous, throw up, have diarrhea and may have a fever. If several people who have eaten the same food all have the same symptoms, food poisoning is likely the cause.

Remember that food contamination and food poisoning can often be prevented. Talk with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about food poisoning, what to do if you notice symptoms, and ways to prevent foodborne illness.

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