Don't Drop the Ball on Food Safety This Super Bowl Sunday!

Keep it Safe and Local for a Winning Spread

LANSING, Mich.-The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding party hosts to prioritize food safety when preparing and serving game day snacks for Super Bowl Sunday with these tips.

1. Play a clean game

Clean and sanitize all cooking surfaces and utensils, especially after handling raw meat. Wash hands immediately before and after handling food. Research shows that 99 percent of people don't wash their hands correctly. To properly wash your hands, wet your hands with water, lather with soap and scrub for 20 seconds. Rinse your hands and dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Wash your hands often throughout the game.

2. Don't mix players from different teams

Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods like fresh fruits and vegetables by using separate cutting boards and utensils. This will prevent cross-contamination of bacteria and keep your MVPs from getting food poisoning.

3. Have a game plan

Foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Know when you plan to serve the food and set a timer to remind yourself to start packing up leftovers. If you plan on serving food throughout the game, make two portions of each dish. Serve one portion as the game starts and keep another portion in the refrigerator or oven to rotate out after half time.

4. Play zone defense

No matter the season, bacteria love the temperature Danger Zone between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). Bacteria will grow rapidly within 20 minutes if they are in that temperature environment for more than two hours.

5. The right equipment counts

Stock up on shallow food containers and make sure you have extra space for them in your refrigerator or freezer. Use a food thermometer to ensure that food reaches a safe internal temperature when you're cooking and that leftovers reach 165°F when you reheat them. Here are the recommended internal temperatures for some Super Bowl party favorites:

• Chicken wings = 165°F (74°C)
• Burgers and sliders = 160°F (71°C)
• Chili and other reheated foods = 165°F (74°C)

6. Take a timeout and insert substitutes into the game, if needed

Check your food with a food thermometer to make sure hot foods remain hot and cold foods remain cold. Keep crockpots on the warm or low setting. Always use a cold source (such as a bowl of ice) below cold foods and check throughout the party to make sure dips and cheeses are still cold. Discard any food that has been out for more than two hours. As your party approaches the two-hour mark, bring out fresh portions of food that you've been keeping hot or cold.

7. Post-game coverage

Pack any leftovers in small portions in shallow containers and place the containers into the refrigerator or freezer immediately. When you re reheating leftovers, make sure they reach 165°F, as measured by a food thermometer.

Michigan Products Make Game Day Delicious!

By putting Michigan products first, you're sure to score big, from appetizers and main dishes to desserts and cocktails. Check out these delicious Michigan recipe ideas to kick off your celebration. If you try a recipe, post a picture on social media with the hashtag #MIMade4SuperBowl and show off your Michigan snacks.

For more information about Michigan's food and agriculture industry and other recipe ideas, visit the Michigan Ag Council website.

For more food safety tips, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854; email or chat at Ask USDA; or visit Michigan's Food Safety website.

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