Safety During the Holiday Party Season

It is that time of year when company and family parties start to pop up on your calendar and the Oregon Department of Agriculture is trying to get the word out on food safety to party goers in good health.

Food Safety Specialist Susan Kendrick says it’s particularly important when it comes to potlucks.

“So using hot plates, using crockpots to keep things warm if you are at a potluck. And if you are serving something cold, to maybe put it in a dish of ice to keep it cold ruing the serving time or even just divide it into maybe two or three smaller dishes and put a couple of the dishes in the refrigerator, and only put a little out at a time.”

Anything sit out for more than four hours should be tossed.

Kendrick noted that the best strategy is to plan ahead.

“You might check with your host or your hostess and make sure that if it something that needs to be in the refrigerator or needs to be kept hot, that they have room for that so you are not surprising them and overloading their refrigerator.”

With good food handling, preparation, and storage techniques, the holidays should be safe as well as enjoyable and tasty.