The Kendall County Health Department (KCHD) is reporting 1021 cases of coronavirus (COVID19), 732 in-recovery and deaths remain at 23.

Kendall County Health Department COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Kendall County Health Department COVID-19 Information Page

4th of July Picnic Food Safety

As we head into the 4th of July holiday, picnic and bbq season is upon us. There will be many opportunities for outdoor fun with family. With that being said, it is important to remember food safety. Warm weather presents the perfect setting for foodborne bacteria to grow. Please consider the following tips to ensure food safety during your outdoor activities:

Pack and Transport Food Safely

• Keep cold foods cold by transporting in coolers with ice or frozen gel packs
• Prevent cross contamination by keeping raw meats, poultry and seafood securely wrapped and separate from ready to eat foods such as fruits and vegetables
• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before packing them in the cooler
• Limit the amount of times the cooler is opened, this helps keep the contents cold longer
• Consider storing drinks in their own separate cooler as drink coolers tend to be opened more frequently

Grilling and Serving

• Remember hand washing is important even when outdoors. If you don’t have access to running water, pack a water jug, soap and paper towels.
• Marinate foods safely by marinating in the refrigerator. Do not marinate at room temperature. If you plan to use some of the marinade as a sauce or topping, set a portion to the side before adding raw, meat, poultry or seafood. Do NOT reuse marinade.
• Bring a food thermometer and ensure that foods are cooked thoroughly before serving. *see Safe Cooking Temperatures
• Do NOT use the same platters or utensils that were used for raw foods on cooked foods.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. After cooking, grilled foods can be stored to the side of the grill rack away from the coals. This will keep the foods hot without over cooking.
• Do NOT leave foods sitting out at room temperature. If served foods are out at room temperature they should be discarded after 2 hours or after 1 hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90°.

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July picnic.