Big Game Safety

When you think about “football” and “safety,” chances are you picture a hard-hitting defensive back whose job is to keep the other team from completing long pass plays downfield. But when it comes to celebrating the big game with snack treats, Haley Oliver, associate professor of food science, urges fans to consider another kind of safety – food safety.

“Some things to think about as you’re preparing for the big game: keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold,” Oliver says.

Hot food should remain at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while cold food is safe at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dips are popular fare for football parties because they are relatively easy to transport and can be prepared for a variety of different tastes. But Oliver says dips should be refrigerated and not left out on the counter for more than two hours. She recommends keeping dips cold in a bowl filled with ice to ensure the temperature remains below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If chicken wings are on the game day menu, it is important to cook the wings to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. These hot foods should be kept at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit until served and remain safe on the counter for less than one hour.

These simple rules, Oliver says, are the best way to prevent football party guests from ending up on the disabled list with a foodborne illness.

Featured Stories

Students work with professor at computer in Purdue lab.

More Ideas for New Pharmaceuticals, Faster

Enzymes – proteins that speed chemical reactions – are commonly used in the...

Male researcher water collecting data from water tank

Working together to mitigate forever: Managing persistent PFAS in our environment

When Linda Lee received a sample of shellfish from an Alaskan reservation in 2005, she was...

Purdue, Kearney announce partnership to enhance agribusiness education and innovation

Kearney’s agriculture and food team and Purdue University’s Center for Food and...

DIAL Ventures Agrifood Economy Index posts 8-point increase since August

The overall Agrifood Economy Index rose to 94 in December, recovering from August’s low of...

Farmer sentiment rises as current conditions improve on U.S. farms

U.S. farmer sentiment continued its upward trend in February, as the Purdue University/CME Group...

Using an input image, the Tree-D Fusion creates a 3D tree model that can be used to simulate various stages of development.

3D tree reconstruction algorithm contributes to a new era of urban planning

Trees compete for space as they grow. A tree with branches close to a wall will develop...