Potluck lunches. Buffet dinners. Soup fundraisers. Church members often gather together for food and fellowship, especially around the holidays. But beware: Open-air meals can become a feeding ground for bacteria.
If food is improperly processed, cooked or prepared, bacteria can enter and cause foodborne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 48 million Americans are affected by foodborne illnesses every year — and most go unreported.
If your church is hosting a meal, there are steps you can take to prevent your people from getting sick.
Wash your hands in warm water with soap. Clean every preparation piece, including countertops, utensils, cutting boards and dishes. Use paper towels or a fresh cloth to dry wet areas.
Always use a clean cutting board. Avoid cross-contamination by using different cutting boards for meat, poultry and fruits/vegetables. Defrost food in the refrigerator not at room temperature.
Cook food immediately after thawing. Rinse fruits and vegetables before use, and scrub thick-skinned produce — like potatoes and sweet potatoes — with a clean brush under running water. Do not reuse a plate or utensil that has touched raw meats.
Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and follow the Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures Chart provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Important note: Bacteria will multiply rapidly between 40° F and 140° F.
Foods that have been cooked ahead of time should be reheated to at least 165⁰F. While serving, keep cold foods on ice below 40⁰F. Keep hot foods in heating chafing dishes, warming trays or slow cookers above 140⁰F. Do not leave food sitting out for more than two hours. Food that is served separately — chicken or tuna salad, dips or spreads — should be set on ice in a shallow bowl.
Food that has been sitting out for more than two hours should be thrown away. To ensure food safety, immediately refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.
The USDA has an in-depth guide to Cooking for Groups and food safety.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice. Readers should use this article as a tool, along with best judgment and any terms or conditions that apply, to determine appropriate policies and procedures for your church's risk management program.
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