What is the Most Important Item You Need for the Summer Grilling Season?

Did you know that according to the CDC, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food each year?

Are you surprised by that number?  

You can avoid this by using a meat thermometer and cooking the meat to the appropriate temperatures. Check out the list below.  


Protein Variety Internal
Temperature (°F)
Beef Ground
160°
Pork Ground
160°
Veal Ground
160°
Lamb Ground
160°
Turkey Ground
165°
Turkey Ground
165°
Fresh Beef Steaks, Roasts, Chops
145°
Fresh Veal Steaks, Roasts, Chops
145°
Fresh Lamb Steaks, Roasts, Chops
145°
Poultry Breast, Whole Bird, Legs, Thighs
Wings, Ground, Giblets, and Stuffing
165°
Pork & Ham Fresh, including ham
145°
Pork & Ham Precooked ham (to reheat)
165°
Seafood
fish with fins
tuna, bass, carp, cod,
flounder, halibut, herring,
mackerel, trout and salmon.
145° or cook until flesh is
opaque and separates
easily with a fork
Seafood
fish with fins
tuna, bass, carp, cod,
flounder, halibut, herring,
mackerel, trout and salmon.
145° or cook until flesh
is opaque and separates
easily with a fork
Seafood Shrimp, lobster, crab, and scallops Cook until flesh is pearly
or white,
and opaque
Seafood Clams, oysters, mussels Cook until shells
open during cooking

Food Safety for your Summer BBQ

Make this 2022 grilling season memorable for the great BBQ and fun times with family and friends, not the unfortunate bout of food poisoning. Not only will proper food storage keep you and your guests safe, but you may also save money if you don’t have to throw out food that was in the sun too long. The CDC recommends the following:

At the Store:

When Shopping:  Put any raw meat or seafood in your cart last, before you check out. That reduces the amount of time the items are setting in your cart at room temperature.

Separate: Avoid cross-contamination by placing all raw meat and seafood in individual bags.

Chill: Have an insulated bag or cooler so you can keep raw meat and seafood at or below 40° when bringing the food home from the store.

At Home:

Chill: Keep your raw meat and seafood refrigerated before use.

Thaw & Marinate: Do not thaw or marinate your raw meat or seafood on the counter. Marinate your food in the refrigerator.  Throw out any marinade or sauce that touched raw meat or seafood.

Clean: Make sure to wash your hands before and after touching raw meat or seafood. Also wash all utensils and work surfaces, including the grill, before and after cooking.

Off the Grill: