Here's how you can keep BAC®! away from your buffet table.
The Lowdown on BAC®!
To survive and reproduce, bacteria need the right conditions: food, moisture, time, and temperature. If consumed, harmful bacteria can cause foodborne illness. When preparing food, follow the 4 Cs of food safety: clean, cook, chill, and combat cross-contamination.
Buffets are a great way to celebrate special occasions. What could be more tempting than a buffet table laden with a mouth-watering feast? But when foods are left out at room temperature for long periods of time, buffets can provide an inviting environment for BAC®! (a.k.a. bacteria).
Beware of BAC®!
At buffets, you can select from a wide variety of foods, some of which may contain uncooked or lightly-cooked eggs. But Grade A eggs with clean uncracked shells can be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria. That’s why it’s important to cook eggs thoroughly to kill any bacteria that may be present.
Spice it up!
You can add zest to hot meats, poultry, and eggs by adding hollandaise and béarnaise sauces. If your homemade recipes for these sauces call for uncooked eggs, you can modify them by cooking the egg mixture on the stovetop to 160° F. Then follow the recipe’s directions.
Fun Platters
Tempt your guests with an array of fun platters. Refrigerate finger sandwiches and cheese chunks right up until serving time. During the buffet, keep shrimp cocktail, fruit salad, and dips chilled on a bed of ice.
Note: Keep in mind that BAC®! can multiply quickly in moist foods like soufflés and foods that contain dairy products, so be sure to refrigerate them right up until serving time.
For more information: Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250-3700
FSIS Food Safety Education and Communications Staff
Meat and Poultry Hotline
Phone: 1-800-535-4555 or (202) 720-3333 (voice); 1-800-256-7072 (TTY)
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