Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Handling Food Safely on the Road
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Oh, how we long for that eight letter word every summer, when millions of us eagerly get away from school and work. We take to the road in cars or recreational vehicles; live on boats; relax in beach or mountain vacation homes; and camp…or simply stay at home and make daily excursions in or around our hometowns.
No matter where we go or what we do, there is a common denominator that runs through all of our summer travels and relaxation — it’s called F-O-O-D! The “road” to food safety, however, can either be bumpy or smooth — depending on what precautions are taken handling meals as we travel during the summer.
Following advice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat & Poultry hotline could make the difference between a vacation to remember and one that is remembered because people got sick from improperly handled food. Here are some general rules for keeping food safe when traveling:
1) Plan Ahead…
If you are traveling with perishable food, place it in a cooler with ice or freezer packs. When carrying drinks, consider packing them in a separate cooler so the food cooler is not opened frequently. Have plenty of ice or frozen gel-packs on hand before starting to pack food. If you take perishable foods along (for example, meat, poultry, eggs, and salads) for eating on the road or to cook at your vacation spot, plan to keep everything on ice in your cooler.
2) Pack Safely…
Pack perishable foods directly from the refrigerator or freezer into the cooler. Meat and poultry may be packed while it is still frozen- it stays colder longer. Also, a full cooler will maintain its cold temperatures longer than one that is partially filled. Be sure to keep raw meat and poultry wrapped separately from cooked foods, or foods meant to be eaten raw such as fruits.
If the cooler is only partially filled, pack the remaining space with more ice. For long trips to the shore or the mountains, take along two coolers — one for the day’s immediate food needs, such as lunch, drinks or snacks, and the other for perishable foods to be used later in the vacation. Limit the times the cooler is opened. Open and close the lid quickly.
- When Camping…
Remember to keep the cooler in a shady spot. Keep it covered with a blanket, tarp or poncho, preferably one that is light in color to reflect heat. Bring along bottled water or other canned or bottled drinks. Always assume that streams and rivers are not safe for drinking. Keep hands and all utensils clean when preparing food. Use disposable moist towelettes to clean hands (be sure hands are totally dry before handling food). When planning meals, think about buying and using shelf-stable food to ensure food safety.
- When Boating…
If boating on vacation, or out for the day, make sure the all-important cooler is along. Don’t let perishable food sit out while swimming or fishing. Remember, food sitting out for more than 2 hours is not safe. The time frame is reduced to just 1 hour if the outside temperature is above 90 °F.
Now, about that “catch” of fish — assuming the big one did not get away! For fin fish: scale, gut and clean the fish as soon as they are caught. Wrap both whole and cleaned fish in water-tight plastic and store on ice. Keep 3-4 inches of ice on the bottom of the cooler. Alternate layers of fish and ice. Make sure the raw fish stays separate from cooked foods. Cook the fish in 1-2 days, or freeze. After cooking, eat within 3-4 days.
Crabs, lobsters and other shellfish must be kept alive until cooked. Store in a bushel or laundry basket under wet burlap. Crabs and lobsters are best eaten the day they are caught. Live oysters can keep 7-10 days; mussels and clams, 4-5 days. Caution: Be aware of the potential dangers of eating raw shellfish. This is especially true for persons with liver disorders or weakened immune systems. However, no one should eat raw shellfish.
- When at the Beach…
Take along only the amount of food that can be eaten to avoid having leftovers. If grilling, make sure local ordinances allow it.
Bring the cooler! Partially bury it in the sand, cover it with blankets, and shade it with a beach umbrella. Bring along disposable moist towelettes for cleaning hands. If dining along the boardwalk or beach restaurant, make sure the food stands frequented look clean, and that hot foods are served hot and cold foods are cold.
- When in the Vacation Home or the Recreation Vehicle…
If a vacation home or a recreational vehicle has not been used for a while, check leftover canned food from last year. The Meat and Poultry Hotline recommends that canned foods which may have been exposed to freezing and thawing temperatures over the winter be discarded.
Also, check the refrigerator. If unplugged from last year, thoroughly clean it before using. Make sure the refrigerator, food preparation areas, and utensils in the vacation home or in the recreational vehicle are thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water.
- When staying home…
Enjoy excursions to area parks, museums, lakes, and other attractions, but if you plan to picnic, be sure to take a cooler for perishable foods. Do not put the cooler in the trunk of your car because extreme hot temperatures will affect the ice or ice packs and make them melt more quickly. Instead, keep the cooler in an empty seat and use the perishable foods within the first few hours of your trip. Above all, keep raw and ready to eat foods separate.
Closing Thought
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life – Dr. David M. Burns
