Holiday parties often feature big spreads of food. Here’s how to avoid letting that food make you sick. Veuer’s Matt Hoffman has the story.
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00:00Holiday party season is coming up, and that means lots of tasty snack platters and buffets.
00:04But how can you be sure the food you're celebrating with stays safe?
00:08Experts recommend several precautions.
00:10For one thing, and after years of the COVID-19 pandemic, you probably already know this,
00:14wash your hands before touching food.
00:16For another, don't just trust your nose or your taste buds.
00:19New Mexico State University professor Jagdish Kubchandani told HuffPost that
00:23it is never easy to tell if food has gone bad for an average person.
00:27Instead, follow what's called the two-hour rule.
00:30According to the USDA and other authorities, food can start to go bad in the so-called
00:34danger zone from 40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
00:38So if the location of your party is within that range, which it hopefully is,
00:41don't leave perishable food out for more than two hours.
00:44If you have, don't assume that reheating it will make it safe.
00:47The USDA also warns that some bacteria produce toxins that can withstand high temperatures.
00:53As for non-perishable foods, avoid sneezing on them and they should be okay.
00:57Preservatives may have their health risks, but in this respect, they can keep your holidays happy.