Food Safety for Seniors: Grilling Meat

1. Food Safety for Seniors:Grilling Meat ___________ County Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

2. Basic safety • Use a clean platter for every step Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

3. Is the hamburger cooked? • Grinding mixes bacteria throughout the meat • Some bacteria can make you sick Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

4. Isn’t color change okay? • May turn brown at a low temperature. • Meat still unsafe to eat • May not turn brown or people overcook for safety • Meat dry and tough Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

5. Use a meat thermometer • Cook ground beef to 160oF • Other meats have different end point temperatures Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

6. Taking a burger’s temperature • Take meat from grill • Put on a paper plate • Insert thermometer from the side to the center of the meat • Wait for the temperature to stabilize • Cook to 160oF Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

7. What next? • Not to 160oF? • Back on the grill. • At 160oF? • Enjoy your burger! Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

8. Hot dogs • May contain bacteria that causes serious illness • Cook until steamy hot in the middle Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

9. Summary • Use a clean platter, plate or tray for each step in cooking. • Use a meat thermometer when cooking meat, inside or out. • Cook ground beef to at least 160oF. • Cook hot dogs until they are steamy hot in the center. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

10. Stay healthy by grilling meat safely. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service