Food safety tips for Super Bowl Sunday

Tailgaters beware: Lots of food set out from pre-game to post game is an invitation for food poisoning. But, if you follow simple tips you can keep yourself and your friends safe.

More than 1.3 billion chicken wings will be consumed on Sunday, but washing those wings is not recommended. That’s because bacteria in poultry juices can splash and spread to flat surfaces and attach to other food.

It may seem obvious, but another important tip is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Keep food warm by serving only half so that you can keep the rest in the oven until you need it.

For cold foods the rule is 40 degrees or below. You can keep salads, dips, and salsa out of the temperature danger zone by serving them in a tray of ice.

Finger foods are also discouraged this year. The flu is considered widespread in Indiana, some be sure to provide a serving fork or spoon for all of your dishes.