In Australia we enjoy our outdoor lifestyle. Picnics, barbeques and camping trips are a great way to make the best of our lovely climate. But there can be some additional food safety risks, especially in the warmer months. You need to take a little more care when preparing and storing foods for outdoor eating.

Why is eating outdoors any different?

Whether you go on a picnic, barbeque or camping trip there are some things that can increase the risk of food poisoning.

• Your food will be taken out of its regular environment (fridge, freezer or pantry) for longer periods of time than usual.
• While coolers (such as an Esky) help keep your food cold, it's hard to get a cooler as reliably and evenly cold as a fridge. The risk that food will remain in the temperature danger zone for long times and that bacteria will begin to multiply can rise.
• Many foods for outdoor eating such as salads, rice dishes, quiche and cold cooked chicken, are pre-prepared. These foods need to be protected from cross-contamination and stored as close to 5°C as possible because they will be consumed without reheating.
• Often hand washing facilities are inadequate with no hot water or soap available.
• Safe drinking water may not be available.
• Usually picnic tables and barbeque preparation areas are small and not too clean. These factors increase the risk of contamination and cross-contamination during food preparation. Avoid direct food contact with the surface and use a clean plate or tray.
• People are in a hurry to eat so there may be a temptation to not cook sausages, hamburger or chicken right through.

Those are the problems - the solution is to take extra care of your food in the outdoors - here's how:

Barbeques at home

• Keep meat in the fridge until you are ready to put it on the barbeque.
• Keep all ready to eat food covered until you are ready to eat it. This will protect it from contamination by flies, etc.
• Always cook chicken, stuffed meats, sausages and minced meat, such as hamburger patties, so that the juices run clear - there should be no hint of pink in the centre. Steaks, chops and whole pieces of meat can be cooked to preference.
• Use a clean plate and clean utensils for cooked meat. Never re-use the same ones you used for the raw meat without washing them.
• Keep salads, pates, spreads, dips and other perishable products in the fridge until needed. It may seem like a great idea to leave food out so that guests can nibble throughout the whole day, but unfortunately bacteria will also have a feast. It's better to divide these higher risk perishable foods into small amounts and replenish with fresh portions as required. Don't mix fresh top-ups with ones that have been outside for some time. Low risk foods, e.g. nuts, crisps, crackers, etc. can be topped up.
• Put leftover cooked meats and other perishables into the fridge immediately once that part of the meal is finished.

Picnics and barbeques away from home

Remember the simple rule for food safety - keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. This is even more difficult when preparing food for a picnic or outing.

• Put meat into a cooler when travelling. Meat juices can easily leak onto pre-prepared foods so package with this in mind. Just in case, place the meat on the bottom of the cooler away from ready to eat food.
• Cut meat into serving-size pieces before leaving home and have all salads ready to eat. This will reduce the need to handle foods, particularly when there are no hand-washing facilities.
• Don't pack food for a picnic if it has just been cooked and is still warm. Coolers cannot cool food enough to prevent bacteria growing. Always cover pre-prepared foods securely and keep in the refrigerator overnight. Other perishable foods and drinks such as deli products, cooked chicken and dairy products must also be cold when put in the cooler.
• Always pack plenty of ice blocks, frozen bricks or gel packs around the food. Frozen drinks thaw quickly in warm weather and serve as extra cool bricks. If you're staying at a caravan park ask if you can refreeze some of your bricks overnight or replenish the ice.
• Wicker baskets, unless they are insulated, are best used for non-perishables and your other picnic needs.
• Avoid keeping perishables such as salads, quiches and cold meats out of the fridge for longer than four hours. If you expect to return leftovers to the fridge they should be left out for as short a time as possible.
• It's okay to leave cooked meat to remain warm on a corner of the barbecue or covered on a plate for late arrivals. Just ensure it is protected from flies and as with cold perishables avoid leaving it around for more than four hours (or two hours if there are leftovers to be put into the fridge).
• Carry disposable wipes in case there is no water for hand washing.

Tips for camping

• Perishable foods are unsuitable for camping unless you have access to a refrigerator. It is best to use dry, UHT and canned products. Pack all these products in leak-proof containers.
• When you have chosen your site, get your cooler out of the car and into the shade as soon as possible. You will need to keep moving it as the sun moves.
• Never save leftovers. Cook only enough for your meal and discard the rest.
• Raw and cooked meats and precooked casseroles can be frozen and kept in a cooler for 24 hours provided they are cooked or reheated properly.
• Keep eating and drinking utensils clean. Use clean warm water and detergent, dry thoroughly using a clean tea towel and store in a covered box. If warm water is not available use clean, boiled or disinfected water.
• Keep utensils used for preparing raw foods away from ready to eat foods. Wash in between and remember to wash your hands too.
• Unless you are sure the water at the campsite has been treated, always boil your drinking water or use disinfecting tablets. No matter how pristine and isolated your camping site looks there is a risk of bacteria and parasites in the water.
• Washing hands after going to the toilet is just as important when you are camping as it is when you are at home. Use disposable wipes if necessary.
• Keep the campsite as clean as possible. Birds and animals can be a source of food poisoning bacteria so don't leave food and utensils lying about.

Information provided by the Food Safety Information Council