It's that time of year again. We're overcome by the thrill of holiday shopping, parties, family gatherings, out-of-town guests and everything else that makes from now until New Year's so darn special.
But in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle, we often lose sight of what's really important: Just how long should those festive food trays stay out in the open air?
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This year, our holiday gift to you is a guide to food-poisoning prevention. Foodborne illness is no joke. An estimated 76 million Americans are leveled by foodborne illness annually. At least 5,200 will die.
The elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk. But food safety expert Debra Holtzman says 'tis the season to be cautious because even the healthiest partygoer is a potential victim.
Most of us will attend or host at least one gathering over the next few months. And chances are there will be plenty of festive food spreads that include everything from cold cuts to dips to desserts. Holtzman, author of The Panic-Proof Parent: Creating A Safe Lifestyle for Your Family, says you can take measures to ward off foodborne illness.
"At parties, they put out cold cuts, pies, cut-up fruit," she says . "What happens is you get so caught up with your guests, you don't remember the 'two hour rule.' If food is left out more than two hours, bacteria grows to harmful levels and that's when people get sick.
"You have to keep an eye on the food. If guests come at 4 p.m. and the food is still there at 8 p.m., you have to realize that people can get sick. You lose track of things during the holidays with so much going on."
Another error made by well-intentioned hosts and hostesses is the topping off of a dish that's been sitting for an extended amount of time. You shouldn't dump fresh food atop old food. When you do refill a dish, empty and wash the platter or serve the new food on a new platter. It's a simple step in reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Holtzman urges party-throwers to keep an eye on the clock and never leave food out for longer than two hours.
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