Silver Spring, Md., Jan. 21: As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, many are gearing up for celebrations filled with delicious finger foods and shared dishes.

Key Points
1. Wash hands thoroughly and sanitize surfaces before food preparation
2. Separate raw and cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination
3. Cook foods to correct internal temperatures for safety
4. Refrigerate perishables promptly and maintain proper food temperatures

However, it's crucial to keep food safety in mind to prevent foodborne illnesses from ruining the festivities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers valuable tips to ensure your game day gathering is both enjoyable and safe.

Clean

Maintaining cleanliness is the first step in preventing foodborne illness.

Follow these guidelines:

Hand Washing: Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, as well as after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching pets.

Sanitize Surfaces: After preparing each food item, clean cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops using hot soapy water.

Wash Produce: Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, even those with skins and rinds that won't be eaten. Firm produce should be scrubbed with a clean brush.

Separate

To avoid cross-contamination, keep different types of food separate:

Separate Raw Foods: In your shopping cart and refrigerator, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from other foods.

Use Different Cutting Boards: Designate one cutting board for produce and a separate one for raw meats and seafood.

Avoid Contamination: Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw products unless the plate has been thoroughly washed. Ensure surfaces that contact other foods are free from raw flour.

Cook

Cooking food to the right temperature is essential for safety:

Use a Food Thermometer: Ensure that meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products are cooked to safe minimum internal temperatures to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Microwave Cooking: When using a microwave, cover food, stir it, and rotate it for even cooking. Always allow standing time before checking the internal temperature.

Chill

Promptly refrigerating or freezing perishables helps prevent spoilage:

Timely Refrigeration: Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within two hours of cooking or purchasing. If the temperature exceeds 90 degreesF, refrigerate within one hour.

Store Leftovers Properly: Divide leftovers into shallow containers to cool them quickly in the refrigerator.

Serve

When serving food at your gathering, take these precautions:

Temperature Control: Keep cold foods at 40 degreesF or below and hot foods at 140 degreesF or above.

Buffet Strategy: If hosting a buffet, prepare small serving portions and replace them with fresh dishes throughout the event.

Avoid Mixing Foods: Do not add new food to already filled serving dishes; instead, replace nearly empty dishes with fresh ones.

Leftover Safety: Refrigerate leftovers promptly-within two hours of guests leaving or when you finish eating.

By following these food safety tips from the FDA, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable game day experience for you and your guests. Enjoy the celebration while staying mindful of health and safety!