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.
