Keeping foodborne illnesses off the menu this summer
Cook meat thoroughly, dispose of anything left outdoors for long, says UCI Health dietitian
IN THE NEWS: The smell of food on the grill and the sounds of laughter are hallmarks of the summer season. The warmer weather also means that food is often enjoyed outside, carrying risks. Left out too long, food can spoil and cause illnesses that impact activities long after celebrations and gatherings end.
Katie Rankell, a registered dietitian and director of the UCI Health Weight Management Program, spoke with ABC 7 Los Angeles about summer food safety, especially when grilling and eating outdoors on hot days.
“When grilling, it’s important to use a thermometer to make sure that meat is cooked all the way through – 165 degrees in the middle of the meat is a good baseline temperature.”
“If it’s over 90 or 100 degrees, dispose of any food, including meat, other proteins and anything made with dairy or mayonnaise that has been left out at a picnic, barbeque or beach for one hour or more.”
Food that needs to be kept cold should always be placed in a cooler, which will also protect it from insects. And thoroughly wash and rise all fresh produce, even vegetables that come in bags, prior to mealtime.
She also touched on how the importance of washing your hands before handling any food that is raw or cooked, why cross-contamination of knives and cutting boards can lead to food poisoning, plus wiping down all counters and prep areas after cooking. If you do get sick, certain groups should seek help quickly.
“If you have are pregnant, immunocompromised or an older adult who has experienced stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea, a headache or develop a fever after eating food that has been outside for more than an hour, seek immediate medical attention.”
“If symptoms last more than two or three days and you haven’t been able to keep any food down, see a doctor immediately.”
Rankell is also a certified diabetes educator and specializes in weight management and outpatient nutrition counseling.
Watch the report
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.