A sunny day in the afternoon summer is the perfect time to go round the meal and cooking outdoors. But have you convinced of the health and safety of your food or dishes when cooking outdoors ? The following tips for maintaining and ensuring the security of your family while eating meals outdoors.

Our carelessness and lack attention of food security can sometimes lead to food poisoning (Foodborne illness) caused by foodborne bacteria and viruses including Salmonella. About 23 cases of salmonella have been reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH) since the first of June, almost double the number of cases typically seen this time of year.

Here are what can you do to avoid diseases caused by unhealthy foods when especially when cooking outdoor events.

-Maintaining hand hygiene when going to cook and after cooking. You can do this by wash your hands with clean water and soap.

-Ensure the cleanliness of vegetables or fruits by washing them .

-Avoid touching raw meat with cooked foods to avoid contamination.

- Always use separate utensils and platters for raw meat and cooked products

- Make sure chicken and other meat products are fully cooked before eating

- Store perishable foods such as luncheon meats and potato or pasta salads in a cooler with freezer packs

- Chill all hot ingredients for prepared salads such as egg, potato, macaroni, chicken or tuna before mixing.

- Keep salads cold until they are ready to be served

- Refrigerate or freeze food the day before you pack it for a trip

For more information you can visit ottawa.ca/health or call 613-580-6744.