Picnicers beware
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Minnesotans planning a picnic this Memorial Day weekend should follow some guidelines for eating safe food.
Dr. Joellen Feirtag, a food safety specialist and associate professor at the Univ. of Minn., said it's especially important to take precautions when food is being served over a long period of time. Feirtag said picnicers want to ensure their food is not left out for more than two hours. She said using coolers, or putting food in large bowls of ice, can help keep food safe. She advises people pay particular attention to salads, such as potato salads, that need to be kept cold.
Dr. Feitag said not properly chilling food can lead to illness.
"That's where we a lot of times we have our outbreaks or people getting sick, because the bacteria then are allowed to grow in there," Feirtag said.
Feirtag also reminds people to wash hands frequently when handling different kinds of food, especially raw meats prior to grilling.
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