2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Food Safety for Seniors:

Grilling Meat

___________ County Cooperative Extension

Service

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Basic safety

• Use a clean platter for every step

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Is the hamburger cooked?

• Grinding mixes bacteria throughout the meat

• Some bacteria can make you sick

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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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

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Use a meat thermometer• Cook ground

beef to 160oF• Other meats

have different end point temperatures

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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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

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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What next?

• Not to 160oF?– Back on the

grill.• At 160oF?

– Enjoy your burger!

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Hot dogs

• May contain bacteria that causes serious illness

• Cook until steamy hot in the middle

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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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.

2001 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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Stay healthy by grilling meat safely.