PARTY FOOD: It’s hard to imagine a Super Bowl party without an array of snacks spread out between your group of friends and the television set.

One of the last things a group of football fans is thinking about on the day of the big game is food safety. But who wants their buddies to start out the workweek Monday morning with a bellyache because of carelessness?

“Other than Thanksgiving, more food is consumed on this day than any other day of the year,” the Penn State University reported.

Sharon McDonald, senior extension educator and food safety specialist in the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences, offered a few tips.

“When preparing food, be sure to start with clean hands, work surfaces and utensils,” Sharon stated. “Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before preparing foods. This even includes foods you are peeling, like those avocados for you guacamole.”

Don’t, however, wash raw chicken wings or other meat. The splashing can lead to contamination on other kitchen surfaces.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure burgers are cooked to 160 degrees fahrenheit, chili and other reheated foods are cooked to 165 degrees and chicken wings are cooked to 165 degrees.

Also, don’t let foods sit at temperatures between 40 degrees and 140 degrees for more than two hours.

“Putting food out in small batches is a good idea,” she said. “Use chafing dishes for wings and burgers; crockpots for chili, buffalo chicken, spinach or artichoke dips; and use a cold source like a bowl of ice below lunch meats, cheeses, fruit salad and other salads.”

Sharon suggested freezing leftovers that you will not be able to eat within three or four days of the party. And throw away anything that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours.

Learn more at https://extension.psu.edu/food-safety-and-processing/home-food-safety.