Picnics are a fun way to enjoy the outdoors this summer. Here are some tips to keep your food safe when away from the kitchen and in the park! 

Keep it cool 

• Cooked food needs to be chilled thoroughly in your fridge before you leave
• Use an insulated cool box/bag with enough ice or icepacks to keep the food chilled (frozen juice cartons can be used as ice packs)
• When you arrive, keep the cool box/bag out of the sun and keep the lid closed as much as you can.  Leave the food in it until you are ready to use it.

Cook it thoroughly 

If you are having a bbq at your picnic, ensure: 

• Chicken, pork, burgers, sausages and other meat that has been minced, skewered or rolled should always be cooked the whole way through. This is because bacteria may be mixed throughout the meat, and not just present on the outside, as with steak.
• To check that the meat has been properly cooked all the way through, cut it in the middle with a clean knife to ensure that it is piping hot in the centre, there is no pink meat remaining and the juices run clear.

To see the full list of tips and to make your picnic safe and delicious, follow the link - www.safefood.eu