Food safety at fairs and carnivals | Health

A fun summer activity is attending fairs, festivals, carnivals, and rodeos. Many food borne illnesses are caused by consuming foods or beverages contaminated with germs. Sometimes, the usual safety controls that a kitchen provides, like thermostat-controlled cooking, refrigeration, and washing facilities, may not be available when cooking and dining at these events. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following safety tips.

Consumers
What should a consumer consider before buying food from a vendor?
Does the vendor have a clean/tidy workstation?
Does the vendor have a sink for employees to wash their hands?
Do the employees wear gloves or use tongs when handling food?
Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?
Has the vendor been inspected? Requirements vary by state, but in general temporary and mobile vendors, like those at fairs and carnivals, should have a license to sell food and beverages in a particular state or county. Check with the local health department to see if the vendors are licensed and if a food inspection has been completed.
Are there healthy food alternatives to consider at fairs and festivals?
When purchasing food from a vendor, look for healthy options  first. If they are not available, consider bringing your own food to save money and calories. Bringing food from home allows you to eat a healthy meal or snack as a family, while still enjoying the festive atmosphere around you. Don't forget to keep safe food storage practices in mind.

If bringing food from home, what  are proper food handling and storage practices?
If you bring food to a fair or festival from home, be sure to keep food handling and storage times in mind. Don't let food sit out for more than two hours. On a hot day (90°F or higher), reduce this time to one hour. Be sure to put perishable items in a cooler or insulated bag. For budget-minded folks, eat before you go to the fair.

What steps can you take to protect you and your family?
Wash Hands Often:
Find out where hand washing stations are located.
Always wash your hands right after petting animals, touching the animal enclosure, and exiting animal areas even if you did not touch an animal.
Always wash hands after using the restroom, after playing a game or going on a ride, before eating and drinking, before preparing food or drinks, after changing diapers, and after removing soiled clothes or shoes.
Bring hand sanitizers or disposable wipes in case there aren't any places to wash your hands.
Report Illness:
Anytime you suspect you may have contracted a food borne illness, report it to your local health department, even if it is after you have recovered. The local public health department is an important part of the food safety system. Often, calls from concerned citizens are how outbreaks are first detected. If a public health official contacts you to find out more about an illness you had, your cooperation is important. In public health investigations, it can be as important to talk to healthy people as it is to ill people. Your cooperation may be needed even if you are not ill.

It is important that food safety steps are followed so the food served doesn't make anyone sick. Try to cook-serve, which means limiting the amount of food preparation performed offsite. In addition, follow the four basic food safety steps:  CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK, and CHILL