Contact: (Insert name here)

For Immediate Release: (Insert date)

Get into the heat of things

Summer time means firing up the grill and barbecuing your family's favorite meat. Whether it's steak, poultry or fish, each meal is sure to be a winner by following smart grilling food safety tips.

Start by keeping cold foods cold. This includes raw meats, poultry, fish or other perishable items including salads with mayonnaise. Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter. Read and follow all label and safety instructions.

Charring meat, poultry or fish is not recommended. Instead grill over medium to medium-low coals. Never grill while the coals are still flaming. Wait until flames subside and the coals are covered with gray ash. Ground beef should be cooked to 160 degrees F., until the center is no longer pink and juices run clear. Once cooked, keep the hot foods hot until eaten. Freeze, refrigerate or put securely wrapped leftovers in a cooler filled with ice.

Never place grilled meat on the same plate on which you had the raw meat. Raw meat juice will provide microbial contaminants to your prepared foods. Instead select a clean serving plate to place your delicious meal on. Thoroughly wash, rinse, and sanitize with a bleach solution all platters, cutting boards, and utensils used to handle raw meat. Always wash hands immediately after handling raw meat. A bleach sanitizing solution can be mixed by adding 1 capful of bleach per gallon of water.

May is National Barbecue Month. Following smart grilling food safety tips makes summer barbecues fun and safe for everyone.

For more information contact (insert agency, name & phone number here) or check your University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service food and nutrition website at www.uwyo.edu/cesnutrition.

Wyoming Food Safety Coalition training members are from Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service; Wyoming Department of Agriculture; and City/County Health Departments.

The University of Wyoming and United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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