Barbecue Food Safety Tips

Starting date:

May 17, 2012

Posting date:

May 17, 2012

Type of communication:

Information Update

Subcategory:

Microbiological - E. coli O157:H7, Microbiological - Other, Microbiological - Salmonella

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Food Safety, Contamination

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-110005658

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Barbecue season has begun and Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of steps they can take to avoid foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Eating undercooked meat and other foods that have come into contact with raw meat can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and diarrhea.

You can help lower your risk of foodborne illness by handling and cooking raw meat carefully.

Storing:

• Raw meat should always be stored in a refrigerator or cooler at 4ºC (40ºF) or below.
• If you are storing raw meat in a cooler, make sure that it is packed with ice and that it stays out of direct sunlight. Avoid opening it too often.
• Ensure meat products are well sealed so their juices don't come in contact with other food products, thus avoiding cross-contamination.

Clean:

• Remember to wash your hands and other utensils, like cutting boards, countertops and knives, carefully with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat. This helps to avoid cross-contamination and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

When you grill:

• Colour alone is not a reliable indicator that meat is safe to eat. Meat can turn brown before all bacteria are killed. Use a digital food thermometer to be sure.
• To check the temperature of meat that you are cooking on the barbecue, take it off the grill and insert a digital food thermometer through the thickest part of the meat.
• If you are cooking a beef hamburger, take the patty from the grill and insert a digital food thermometer through its side, all the way to the middle.
• If you are cooking more than one patty, or several pieces of meat, be sure to check the temperature of each piece.
• Use clean utensils and plates when removing cooked meats from the grill.
• Remember to wash the thermometer in hot, soapy water between temperature readings.
• Always remember to keep hot food hot until it is ready to serve.

It is estimated that there are approximately 11 million cases of food-related illness in Canada every year. Many of these cases could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.

For more information on food safety tips while barbecuing, please visit:

Government of Canada's Barbecuing Food Safety Tips

Government of Canada's Food Safety Portal

Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education's Be Food Safe Canada Campaign

It's Your Health on Summer Food Safety

It's Your Health on How to Avoid Illness from Hamburgers

Related AWRs

Barbecue Food Safety Tips

2011-05-17 | Food

Advisory

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709