Party preparations that really matter

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: July 4, 2008

What kind of meat are you grilling?  Do you know how hot it should be on the inside before it’s safe to eat? We quizzed local shopper Johnny Johnson

Johnny: To be on the safe side 150 160 degrees.

Karen and Donna Henderson came to Roanoke from Botetourt to do their 4th of July shopping and played along too.

Donna : 140...160.

Karen: 175.

If you’re cooking ground beef cook it to an internal temp of 165 if chicken is your choice 160.

Perhaps some of you stocked up on extra watermelon given the latest research that it can have a Viagra effect in large quantities.  No matter what kind of melon your serving wash the outside because bacteria can grow the rind.

Karen:  Foods outside should be eaten or tossed after how long?

Karen and Donna:  Three hours?

Karen: One hour.

Karen and Donna: Oh, I did not know that...we need to be more careful.

Salem’s Eve Deegan gets it right.

Eve:  I think an hour is probably the answer.

One way to cut the time foods its outside is to put less of those prepared foods like potato and pasta salad out at a time and replenish as the bowl gets empty.

Karen:  Is it better to transport your cooler in the trunk or back seat?

Karen and Donna:  Back seat...back seat because of the a.c.

Your trunk can get as hot as 150 degrees so for temperature reasons the back seat is better.  But, the people I talked with today had good points about safety.  So if you keep in the back seat make sure it is secure.

And experts say cookies and cakes are an easy way to be a part of that potluck picnic without worrying about coolers and warmers all together.

Link to more information about keeping your picnic safe from our Media General News Service.