Download a print version of this document: Show
Buffets or picnics can be a great way to serve lots of different, delicious foods to large gatherings of people for special occasions, such as holidays or graduations. But they can also be a means to transmit disease among your guests if care is not taken in how the food is handled. Common causes of food-borne illnesses include norovirus, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 Here are some tips to help you have a SAFE party. Handle Food Safely
Cook Thoroughly
Keep Hot Foods HOT, Cold Foods COLD
Observe the Two-Hour Rule
Cook Thoroughly
Follow the guide below.
* Regulated facilities may cook to different temperatures because staff are trained in the use of time and temperature to reach safe standards. Plan a “bacteria-free buffet” with these easy tips for food safety when entertaining. Bon appétit! Entertaining is one of the mainstays of the holiday season — and helps commemorate milestone events throughout the year, too. With proper preparation, you can be creative and tempt your party guests with an array of fun platters while still keeping food safety in mind! Print & Share (PDF 325KB) Spanish (Español) If you’re planning a buffet at home and are not sure how quickly the food will be eaten, keep buffet serving portions small. Hot foods should be kept at an internal temperature of 140 °F or warmer. Cold foods should be kept at 40
°F or colder.
Keep It FreshDon’t add new food to an already filled serving dish.
Watch the ClockRemember the 2-Hour Rule: Discard any perishables left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, unless you’re keeping it hot or cold.
Adapt “Old Family Recipes” SafelySome of your favorite traditional recipes may call for raw or lightly cooked eggs. These may include homemade Caesar salad dressing, ice cream, custards, rice pudding, chocolate mousse, eggnog, and some sauces. However, some raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria. These can be particularly dangerous when consumed by those at higher risk for foodborne illness – such as pregnant women, young children, older adults, and those who may have a weakened immune system because of organ transplants or diseases like diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS. Help keep your party guests safe by adapting your favorite egg containing recipes (or substituting prepared products for some items). Here’s how:
Safe Food Handling: Four Simple StepsCLEAN Wash hands and surfaces often
SEPARATE Separate raw meats from other foods
COOK Cook to the right temperature
CHILL Refrigerate foods promptly
What temperature should food on a buffet be?Hot foods should be held at 140°F or warmer. On the buffet table, keep hot foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers and warming trays. Cold foods should be held at 40°F or colder. Keep foods cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice.
What temperature should prepared food be kept at?Bacteria grow rapidly between the temperatures of 40° F and 140° F. After food is safely cooked, hot food must be kept hot at 140° F or warmer to prevent bacterial growth. Within 2 hours of cooking food or after it is removed from an appliance keeping it warm, leftovers must be refrigerated.
When holding cold food on a buffet What is the correct temperature?Always use a thermometer to check food temperatures. 135°F to 41°F or below within a total of six hours. The faster food is cooled, the better. Maintain cold food at 41°F or below.
|