Campfire Cuisine: Food Safety Done Right is simple

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Ah, the smell of campfire food—there’s nothing like it! As we prepare for our annual Fall Family Camping trip I want to take a second to remind everyone nobody wants a side of stomach troubles with their s’mores.

First things first: Keep it Clean! Remember to wash those hands before handling food. Or, as I like to say, “If in doubt, wash it out!” You wouldn’t let your tent get covered in dirt, so why let your food?

Use food grade gloves: latex free to avoid any allergies.

Cook It Right! Don’t just eyeball it—use a food thermometer. As much as we all love guessing games, “Is this burger still mooing?” shouldn’t be one of them! Meat needs to hit the right temp to keep it safe. For beef, it’s 160°F—anything less and you’re having a “rare” experience, literally.

Cold Foods, Cold Stays! Keep perishables on ice. If it’s supposed to be cold, keep it chilly, like the scout who forgot their sleeping bag on a fall night.

Leftovers: If it’s been out for more than two hours, toss it. Or, as we like to say, “When in doubt, throw it out!” No one wants to be the person who brought “food poisoning casserole” to the camping trip.

Stay safe, keep it clean, and enjoy that perfectly cooked campfire meal!