Safety Corner: Food and Cooking at War
As published in the Herald, May 2003
Along with dehydration, heat illness, war injuries, and hangovers, food and how it is stored and prepared can affect how much fun you have. Cooking at overnight events can be tricky. By keeping all food preparations clear from cross-contamination, preparing well-cooked meals with properly preserved and stored foods “campground gastritis” can be kept to a minimum at camping events. More fun for all if you’re not cramping sick. Here are some preventive-medicine tips for sanitary food handling.
Always wash your hands completely before touching any food! Most food experts believe that certain meats, especially chicken, should be cleaned with a vinegar/water solution (1 TBL per 6-8 oz water) for at least 10 minutes (soak time) before preparation. This method will also work for fresh vegetables.
Freeze your meat. Meats, cut or cubed for stews and other dishes, should be partly cooked at home and stored in freezer bags, and frozen prior to camping. Packing frozen meats will allow a gradual thaw without spoilage over a 3-day weekend so plan which meats to eat accordingly for freezing.
Clean the prep table. Most experts also believe that the most danger comes from the preparation table. Remember to always clean knives, tongs, and every other utensil between uses (or between different food groups) to prevent cross-contamination. Cutting surfaces should also be sanitized between each and every use (try using disposable cutting sheets).
Wash it! A wash basin with a citrus-based dish detergent, a wash basin of clean water, and a wash basin with a bleach/water mixture is the best way to sanitize washed items. One capful of bleach to three gallons of water should do it. (This method is referred to as the 3-step method cold-chemical sanitation).
Fighters: Remember that the physickers, marshals, water-bearers and their assistants are there for our safety so we may fight another day. Be well and be safe my beloved Adria.
In service, Lord Jordan of Marlborough, Imperial Physicker of Adria 2003

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