Keep Food Safe from Kickoff to Leftovers

Keep Food Safe from Kickoff to Leftovers

Byline: Karen Anderson, Public Affairs Specialist, FSIS-USDA

Super Bowl parties are different from sit-down meals. Guests snack throughout the game, food may sit out for long stretches, and leftovers are common. Keeping an eye on time and temperature can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Know the Danger Zone

Bacteria multiply quickly between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F, a temperature range known as the Danger Zone. Perishable foods should not be left out in this range for more than two hours. After that, harmful bacteria can reach levels that make people sick.

Serve Food in Batches

Whether homemade or takeout, how long food sits out matters.

• Serve food in smaller batches, bringing out one round of food during the first half of the game and another later.

• If takeout arrives early, refrigerate until it's time to serve or keep it hot at 140 degrees F or above using a warming tray, slow cooker, or preheated oven.

• Keep cold foods at 40 degrees F or below by placing dishes on ice.

Handle Leftovers Safely

After the game, leftovers can be enjoyed safely with proper handling:

• Refrigerate or freeze leftover foods within two hours.

• Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees F.

• When reheating in the microwave, spread food evenly and cover for even temperature heating. To ensure food is fully reheated, use a food thermometer to check the temperature in several places.

For food safety questions, contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email [email protected] from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.