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Food Safety Tips for College Students |
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When students pack up for college, they take along the basics
— TV, laptop, MP3 player and cell phone. Many students will
also arrive at school with a microwave oven, tabletop grill,
mini-fridge, and toaster-oven in tow. Most students, however,
don't know there are food safety considerations when cooking
with these appliances.
College students are under a lot of pressure
and they often get their meals the quickest and easiest way possible.
When it comes to safely preparing meals, many college kids simply don't know what it takes
to make the grade in food safety, and many end up with a foodborne illness.
The USDA
Meat and Poultry Hotline receives many calls from
parents or students with questions about the handling and storage
of food for college kids. Here is a sampling of questions
about how to safely cook and prepare foods while away at school.
Q. Several slices
of pizza have been left out overnight. Is the pizza still safe
to eat?
A. No. Perishable
food should never be left out of refrigeration more than 2
hours. This is true even if there are no meat products on the
pizza. Foodborne bacteria that may be present on these foods grow fastest in the "Danger Zone"
(temperatures between 40 and 140 °F) and can double in number every 20 minutes.
Other take-out or delivered foods such as chicken, hamburgers,
cut fruit, salads, and party platters, must also be kept at
a safe temperature. The rule is to "Keep HOT Food HOT and
COLD Food COLD!" To keep hot foods safe, keep them at 140
°F or above. Cold food must be kept at 40 °F or below
(in the refrigerator or freezer). Bacteria grow rapidly between
40 and 140 °F. Discard all perishable food left at room
temperature longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in air temperatures
above 90 °F. Use safely refrigerated food in 3 to 4 days;
frozen leftovers, 1 to 2 months.
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Q. I am living off
campus this year. My two roommates and I will be preparing our
own meals. What do we need to know to cook food safely?
A. When using
frozen meats, thaw them in the refrigerator - NOT on the counter.
Don't allow raw meat or poultry juices to drip on other foods.
Wash your hands before and after preparing foods. Always use
clean paper towels. Wash used cutting boards and utensils in
hot, soapy water.
Use a food thermometer to check internal temperatures. Cook
meat and poultry to the following safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Cook all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal
temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.
For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.
For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.
- Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
- Cook all poultry to an internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
If you feel food has not been handled safely, throw it out.
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Q. I don't have a
car on campus so I have to take the bus to get my groceries.
Will the food be safe by the time I get it to my apartment?
A. Whether
you use public transportation or have your own car, it's important
that perishable purchases are refrigerated within 2 hours (1
hour when the temperature is above 90 °F). First, when buying
food, avoid cross-contamination by placing raw meat, poultry,
and seafood in plastic bags and keep them separate from other
foods in your grocery-shopping cart. Make cold foods the last
items you place in your cart. After your purchases are bagged,
go home immediately.
If you can't get home within the recommended times, you may
want to take a cooler with frozen gel packs to keep perishable
food safe in transit. If there are perishable raw meats you
don't plan on using soon, freeze any ground meats, poultry or
fish within 2 days; beef, pork, veal or lamb steaks, roasts
or chops within 3 to 5 days.
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Q. Our dorm has a
kitchen with a microwave on each floor. When I microwave the
food according to the package's instructions, it's still partly
frozen. Why doesn't it get hot enough?
A. In a large
building like a dorm, electrical equipment such as computers,
toaster-ovens, hair dryers and irons compete for current and
reduce the electrical wattage of a microwave. A community oven
that has been used just before you, will cook slower than a
cold oven. To compensate, set the microwave for the maximum
time given in the instructions. Avoid using an extension cord
with the microwave because power is reduced as it flows down
the cord. Also, the cord might not be
grounded.
Cover foods during cooking. Remember to stir or rearrange food and rotate the dish
to eliminate cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive, and to promote more even cooking.
Allow for standing time. The food continues to cook during this period. Finally, use a food
thermometer to ensure the food reaches the safe internal temperature of 165 °F. If the food
has not reached that temperature or is not steaming hot, add more cooking time.
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Q. What containers
are safe for microwaving foods?
A. Glass, ceramic, and plastics utensils labeled for microwave oven use are safe.
Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use.
Do not let plastic wrap touch foods during microwaving.
Do not use plastic cold-storage containers such as margarine tubs, take-out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time
use containers. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food. Never use thin
plastic storage bags, brown paper or plastic grocery bags, newspapers, or aluminum foil in the microwave oven.
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Q. How do you thaw
frozen foods in the microwave safely?
A. Remove
food from packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays
and plastic wraps because they are not heat stable at high temperatures.
Melting or warping may cause harmful chemicals to migrate into
food. Cook meat, poultry, egg casseroles, and fish immediately
after defrosting in the microwave oven because some areas of
the frozen food may begin to cook during the defrosting time.
Do not hold partially cooked food to cook later.
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Q. Several of us
are planning a tailgate party at the stadium. How can we handle
the foods safely?
A. Keeping
food safe from home, a store, or restaurant to the stadium helps
prevent foodborne illness. If bringing hot take-out food, eat
it within 2 hours of purchase. To keep food like soup, chili,
and stew hot, use an insulated container. Fill the container
with boiling water, let it stand for a few minutes, empty, and
then put in the piping hot food. Keep the insulated container
closed and the food should stay hot (140 °F or above) for
several hours. Or plan ahead and chill the food in your refrigerator
before packing for your tailgate.
Carry cold perishable food like raw hamburger patties, sausages,
and chicken in an insulated cooler packed with several inches
of ice, frozen gel packs, or containers of frozen water. Perishable
cooked food such as luncheon meat, cooked meat, chicken, and
potato or pasta salads must be kept refrigerator cold, too.
Tuck an appliance thermometer into the cooler to make sure the
food stays at 40 °F or below. When packing the cooler for
an outing, be sure raw meat and poultry are wrapped securely
to prevent their juices from cross-contaminating ready-to-eat
food.
In addition to a grill and fuel for cooking food, pack a food
thermometer to be sure the meat, poultry, and casseroles reach
a high enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may
be present. Include lots of clean utensils, not only for eating
but also for serving the safely cooked food.
Bring water for cleaning if none will be available at the site.
Pack clean, wet, disposable cloths or moist towelettes and paper
towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.
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Q. How long will
food stay safe at a tailgate party?
A. It's important
to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Bacteria multiply rapidly
between 40 °F and 140 °F. Never leave food in this "Danger
Zone" more than 2 hours (1 hour when the outside temperature
is above 90 °F). Cook meat and poultry completely. Partial
cooking of food ahead of time allows bacteria to multiply to
the point that subsequent cooking cannot destroy them.
Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on
the outside. Use a food thermometer to check internal temperatures.
Cook meat and poultry to the following safe minimum internal
temperatures:
- Cook all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal
temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.
For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.
For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.
- Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
- Cook all poultry to an internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
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Q. Are leftovers
from a tailgate party safe to eat later?
A. Some people
have so much fun at tailgate gatherings, they never actually
make it into the stadium to see the football game. But that
doesn't mean it's safe for the food to stay unrefrigerated before,
during, and after the game. Holding food at an unsafe temperature is a prime cause
of foodborne illness.
Store perishable food in the cooler except for brief times when serving. Cook only the amount of food
that will be eaten to avoid the challenge of keeping leftovers at a safe temperature. Discard any leftovers
that are not ice cold after the game. Food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill more than
2 hours (1 hour when the outside temperature is above 90 °F).
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Q. I don't have time
to go to the dining hall for lunch. How can I safely pack a
lunch to eat between
classes?
A. Insulated,
soft-sided lunch boxes or bags are best for keeping perishable
food cold, but metal or plastic lunch boxes and paper bags can
also be used. If using paper lunch bags, create layers by double
bagging to help insulate the food. A cold source, such as a
small frozen gel pack or frozen juice box, should be packed
with perishable food in any type of lunch bag or box. Of course,
if there's a refrigerator available, store perishable items
there upon arrival.
It's important to keep perishable food cold. Harmful bacteria
multiply rapidly in the "Danger Zone" - the temperatures
between 40 and 140 °F. So, perishable food transported without
an ice source won't stay safe long. Prepackaged combos that
contain luncheon meats along with crackers, cheese, and condiments
must also be kept refrigerated. This includes luncheon meats
and smoked ham that are cured or contain preservatives. For
more information, see "Keeping 'Bag' Lunches Safe"
at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017054844/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Keeping_Bag_Lunches_Safe/
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Q. I frequently send
"care packages" to my son at college. What other foods besides
cookies, crackers, and candy can I mail?
A. College
kids away from home always love receiving their favorite home-baked
goods: Brownies and loaf-type cakes, like banana bread, carrot,
applesauce or sour cream cakes, ship well if wrapped in aluminum
foil and packed in a can or heavy cardboard box.
Shelf-stable, microwavable entrees are another option. These
foods are not refrigerated or frozen and will stay fresh without
refrigeration for about 18 months. Canned meats and fish as
well as dried meat and poultry, such as beef and turkey jerky,
are safe to mail. Bacteria can't grow in foods preserved by
removing moisture.
If mailing perishable foods, pack them with a cold source, such
as frozen gel packs or dry ice, and ship them by overnight delivery.
Perishables must not be at temperatures between 40 and 140 °F
for longer than 2 hours (1 hour when the temperature is above
90 °F). Pathogenic bacteria can grow rapidly at these temperatures
but they do not generally affect the taste, smell, or appearance
of a food. So if food has been mishandled or is unsafe to eat,
the student will not be able to tell it's dangerous. For more
information, see the FSIS publication "Mail Order Food
Safety" at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Mail_Order_Food_Safety
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Q. My daughter's
college is only a four-hour drive away, so she comes home often.
How can I safely pack home-cooked foods for her to take back
to school?
A. For a four-hour
drive, food must be handled properly to keep it safe from spoilage
and pathogenic bacteria. Cooked foods should be divided into
shallow containers and cooled in the refrigerator prior to the
trip. To transport the food, place it in an insulated cooler
packed with several inches of ice, frozen gel packs, or containers
of frozen water. Add the cold containers of food from the refrigerator
when she's ready to leave. Freezing foods prior to the return
trip also helps keep food safe. Advise your daughter to refrigerate
the food as soon as she arrives at college.
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Q. My math club is
having a potluck dinner. What's important to remember for food
safety?
A. When you
serve food, use clean containers and utensils to store and serve
food. Do not use a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry,
or seafood unless the plate has first been washed in hot, soapy
water. When a dish is empty or nearly empty, replace with fresh
container of food, removing the previous container.
Place cold food in containers on ice. Hold cold foods at or
below 40 °F. Food that will be portioned and served on the
serving line should be placed in a shallow container. Place
this container inside a deep pan filled partially with ice to
keep food cold. Food like chicken salad and desserts in individual
serving dishes can also be placed directly on ice, or in a shallow
container set in a deep pan filled with ice. Drain off water
as ice melts and replace ice frequently.
Keep hot food hot by using a heat source. Once food is thoroughly
heated on stovetop, oven or in microwave oven, place it in chafing
dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers.
Check the temperature frequently to be sure food stays at or
above 140 °F.
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service helps consumers to
safely plan and serve food for group gatherings. Single copies
of a 40-page colorful "Cooking
for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety" are
available by calling the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline
(1-888-674-6854).
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Q. My buddies and
I are going on a camping trip over spring break. How can we
take food along safely?
A. If you
are traveling with cold foods, bring a cooler with a cold source.
If you are cooking, use a hot campfire or portable stove. It
is difficult to keep food hot without a heat source when traveling,
so it's best to cook foods before leaving home, refrigerate
or freeze the food overnight, and transport it cold.
If you don't want to lug a cooler or portable stove, consider
taking shelf-stable food. Advances in food technology have produced
relatively lightweight staples that don't need refrigeration
or careful packaging. These include dehydrated foods; beef jerky
and other dried meats; dried noodles and soups; peanut butter
in plastic jars; canned ham, chicken, beef and tuna; concentrated
juice boxes; dried fruits and nuts; and powdered milk and fruit
drinks.
Don't drink water from a lake or stream, no matter how clean
it appears. Bring bottled or tap water for drinking. For more
information, see the FSIS publication "Food Safety While
Hiking, Camping & Boating" at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Food_Safety_While_Hiking_Camping_&_Boating/
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Q. What are the important
things to remember about food safety?
A. USDA's
Meat and Poultry Hotline, in conjunction with the Be Food Safe campaign, advises
all consumers to keep these four basic tips in mind when cooking
and preparing foods:
- Clean. Wash hands and surfaces often.
- Separate. Separate raw meat, poultry
and egg products from cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook. Raw meat, poultry and egg products
need to be cooked thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to
ensure foods have reached a high enough temperature to kill
any harmful bacteria that might be present.
- Chill. Refrigerate promptly.
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Last Modified:
July 29, 2011 |
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