Memorial Day weekend is here, and for many people, it marks the unofficial start to the summer season. As the weather gets warmer, more people plan outdoor events, which often involve food. With outdoor gatherings ramping up, USDA Food Safety Specialist Lynn Williams recommends the USDA’s steps for food safety; clean, separate, cook, and chill to help keep food out of the ‘danger zone’.
“Danger Zone is what we call the temperatures between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Williams. “That is any food that stays out longer than the two-hour rule. If anything stays out longer than two hours inside that danger zone, it can cause a potential foodborne illness.”
According to the CDC, there are around 48 million reports of foodborne illnesses a year with around 128 thousand of those cases leading to hospitalizations. Williams emphasizes that following USDA’s food safety tips can help reduce those numbers.
