Picnic Safety

Don't prepare picnic food more than one day ahead of time, unless you're freezing it. This way, you're sure that the food is top quality when you get ready to eat it. If food is cooked too far in advance, ample opportunity is provided for bacteria to grow. When preparing food ahead of time, cook it rapidly in a shallow pan in your refrigerator. Most cases of food-borne illnesses are actually due to improper cooling.

Foods with dairy and mayonnaise should be kept cold at all times. Mayonnaise alone is too acidic for bacteria to grow in it, but when it's mixed with other foods and kept warm, bacteria will likely develop.

Keep your food at the right temperature - cold foods should be kept cold, and hot foods kept hot. Purchase a picnic pack or cooler that has high quality insulation, and throw in a few cold packs. Many of the picnic products on the market today have adequate insulation that eliminates the need for ice, for short trips. However, if you'll be outdoors for many hours before eating, adding some ice to your cooler is a good idea. Make sure your food is in a waterproof container if it will be submerged in ice. Never just set containers of food on top of the ice - this won't provide adequate cooling. If you're bringing hot take-out food, eat it within an hour. Most picnic backpacks and coolers with insulated compartments can be used either for cold or hot food, so you can transport it safely that way if you are going to be a bit longer.

Non-perishable foods that don't require refrigeration are always a great choice. Healthy snacks like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix, crackers, chips and dried fruit taste great and will last much longer than foods that require refrigeration.

Always remember to wash your hands before eating. Having some antibacterial hand gel or baby wipes on hand will help when there's no running water and soap available. Dirty hands can contaminate food, especially if you'll be participating in some outdoor activities such as fishing, horseback riding, or hiking before you eat.

Unless you'll be getting home within an hour, throw your leftovers away. Bringing just enough food for the meal along on a picnic is a good idea, so you won't have too much extra that will go to waste. The longer food is left sitting at an unsafe temperature, particularly if it's been exposed to the air, the more likely it is that harmful bacteria growth will take place.

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