Grilling Safety: 5 Tips For Your Health May 30, 2018

Summer time is the perfect season to break out the grill; unfortunately, it’s also the perfect breeding ground for food borne germs and poisoning to develop. Warmer temperatures in the lowcountry, and cross contamination of meats and other produce, can easily promote the growth of bacteria causing gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea and vomiting. Besides hand washing regularly, there are a few steps you can take to ensure a safe, enjoyable BBQ.

1. Keep meat and seafood stored securely in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook – ideally in tupperware.
2. Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling, as well as immediately after handling. Take care not to directly touch the taps in the sink, or the refrigerator handles, when handling meat or fish.
3. Discard of any sauces and wash utensils that have been used to baste or marinate meats; use a wet cloth to wipe down grill and tools.
4. Use a thermometer when cooking meats to ensure a proper temperature. As a general guide, temperatures should be as follows: 145°F – for whole cuts of beef, pork, or lamb; 145°F – for fish ;160°F – for hamburgers and ground beef 165°F – for poultry or processed meats (like hot dogs.) Serve immediately or maintain temperature until serving.
5. Store leftovers in the refrigerator within one to two hours

Looking for some diabetic friendly – or just plain delicious – sides and plates? Visit our I [Heart] Recipes blog tips.

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to eligible patients, just like any family practitioner or internist. The Free Clinic serves uninsured adults living at or below 200 % of the Federal poverty level who live or work on Johns, Wadmalaw or James Islands. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.