For Immediate Release
Partnership Contact: Shelley Feist, 202-220-0651
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Agency Contact: Maureen Varnon, 202-973-3604
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August 4, 2006 – Washington, D.C. – August is heating up, and according to the Partnership for Food Safety Education, climbing temperatures mean it is critically important to Fight BAC!® by keeping foods properly chilled while outdoors and on-the-go. 

“Keeping foods properly chilled reduces the risk of foodborne illness to you and your family,” said Shelley Feist, Executive Director for the Partnership for Food Safety Education, “It is especially important to take precautions with perishable foods during the summer, as hot weather creates an atmosphere for foodborne bacteria to multiply rapidly,” she continued.   

“A well-packed cooler can keep your perishable foods cold as you travel to a picnic or overnight destination,” said Feist.  “No one should expect to keep foods properly chilled in a cooler over a period of days,” she said.

The Partnership recommends the following tips to keep foods cold on the road:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Pack your cooler just before you hit the road.  If you pack meat and poultry while it is still frozen it will stay colder longer.  <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Pack foods in your cooler in reverse-use order – pack foods first that you are likely to use last. That way you won’t have to unpack and repack the cooler along the way. <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Pack lots of ice and/or freezer packs to ensure a constant cold temperature.  A full cooler will maintain a cold temperature longer than one that is partially filled. <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Keep the cooler out of the direct sun.<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Keep drinks in a separate cooler from foods.  The beverage cooler can be opened often while the food cooler stays closed.  <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Take perishable foods in the smallest quantity needed and pack only the amount of food you think you'll use. Consider taking along non-perishable foods and snacks that don't need to be refrigerated. <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      When the picnic is over, discard all perishable foods if there is no longer sufficient ice in the cooler or if gel packs are no longer frozen. <!--[endif]-->

Other important reminders for safe outdoor eating include the following:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Clean your hands for twenty seconds with warm water and soap before and after handling food. If running warm water for hand washing is not available, disposable wipes or hand cleanser will do.<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Don't let food sit out for more than two hours. On a hot day (90º F or higher), food should not be out for more than one hour.  Foods left out of refrigeration or out of a cooler too long should be tossed!<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      Bring a food thermometer with your grilling supplies. Use it to make sure meat and poultry reach a safe minimum internal temperature. Check fightbac.org for a detailed list of safe temperatures. <!--[endif]-->

The Partnership for Food Safety Education reminds consumers to Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill to Fight BAC!  Visit www.fightbac.org today to learn how you can become a BAC! Fighter and join in the effort to prevent foodborne illness in your home and community.

The Partnership for Food Safety Education unites industry associations, professional societies in food science, nutrition and health, consumer groups and the United States Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, to educate the public about safe food handling and preparation.  The Partnership, a non-profit organization, is the creator and steward of the Fight BAC!® campaign, a food safety education program developed using scientifically based recommendations and resulting from an extensive consumer research process.  Fight BAC!® materials are fully accessible online at www.fightbac.org and utilized by consumers, teachers, dietitians, public health officials and extension agents across the United States.

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