/PRNewswire/ — Super Bowl Sunday is coming up and you may be planning a party with friends and family. These parties often involve finger foods, communal dishes, and treats that are left out for long periods of time—which can lead to foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning).  Don’t let foodborne illness ruin the fun. Check out these tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and learn how you can keep your food safe.

CLEAN

• Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling pets.
• Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.
• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. Scrub firm produce with a clean produce brush.

SEPERATE

• Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your shopping cart, grocery bags, and refrigerator.
• Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
• Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water.
• Don’t reuse marinades used on raw foods unless you bring them to a boil first.
• If baking, make sure that no raw flour is on surfaces that contact other foods.

COOK

• Use a food thermometer to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products. These foods must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria.
• When cooking in a microwave oven, cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer.

CHILL

• Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within 2 hours of cooking or purchasing. Refrigerate within 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90° F.
• Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.

SERVE

• Keep cold foods chilled to 40 °F or below and hot foods heated to 140 °F or above.
• If you’re planning a buffet and aren’t sure how quickly the food will be eaten, keep serving portions small. Prepare a number of small platters and dishes ahead of time and replace the serving dishes with the fresh ones throughout the party.
• Don’t add new food to an already filled serving dish. Instead, replace nearly empty serving dishes with freshly filled ones.
• Watch the clock with leftovers. Whether you’re sending “doggie bags” home with guests or are saving them for yourself, leftovers should be refrigerated as soon as guests arrive home and/or within 2 hours!

Learn more at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/BuyStoreServeSafeFood/ucm328131.htm

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dairy Co-Op Drops Album of Cheddar-Inspired Tracks by TikTok Creators That You Never Knew You Needed

TILLAMOOK /PRNewswire/ — Big Game viewers are encouraged to turn up their snack games with Tillamook’s bold cheddar slices, shreds, and blocks, all while munching along to “Block Jams,” a compilation of cheddar tracks that will literally get eaters everywhere singing a cheesy new tune.

The creative campaign is the first-ever Big Game advertisement from the beloved dairy co-op, Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA). A modern (and more delicious) take on the classic CD infomercial, the spot was developed by TCCA in partnership with creative agency 72andSunny Los Angeles. “Block Jams” features three TikTok creators dropping bold and epic music tracks inspired by their favorite Tillamook Cheddar products:

• “Double Dippin’ With You” by Goodboy Noah is a track about the Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Block being so irresistible you can’t help but double dip.  
• “C.H.D.D.R.” by Carson Elliott, sings about how a sprinkle of Tillamook Farmstyle Sharp Cheddar Shreds makes nachos out-of-this-world delicious.
• “Stack That Cheddar” by Grace Hayes is a bop about how Tillamook Farmstyle Sharp Cheddar Slices meet her high standards.

“This campaign is about helping consumers to make the best possible choice for their game day spreads and hopefully we’re bringing a little joy through the power of music at the same time,” said Kate Boltin, Vice President, Brand Marketing, TCCA. “The ear-worm tracks on Block Jams, that we are so honored to have partnered on with these talented creators, not only underscore our uncompromising brand commitment to quality standards, but are meant to be fun reminders as shoppers peruse the grocery store aisles too.”

While some tune in for the game, food is *actually* the #1 reason most people gather on football’s favorite Sunday¹. Knowing that food is the real MVP, TCCA is making bold moves to ensure that consumers Big Game snacks are a touchdown. TCCA’s delicious dairy products are made the right way – without shortcuts or compromises – from the brand’s uncompromising standards to carefully sourced ingredients and making products with care, Tillamook Cheddar makes every bite the grate-est bite ever. 

“Tillamook Cheddar is so good, it needed to be celebrated. Musically! So, we tapped the TikTok creator community to bring their fresh and unexpected takes on Tillamook Cheddar with songs of love and dairy devotion,” said 72andSunny.

Tillamook’s “Block Jams” is running across connected TV, digital video, social, audio, and out of home. Cheddar and music enthusiasts alike can tune in at tillamook.com/block-jams. The spot will be running in 22 local markets during Music’s Biggest Night on February 5 and the Big Game on February 12.

Block Jams is not sold in stores, but Tillamook Cheddar is. Tillamook products are available at major retailers nationwide. Find products at a store near you at Tillamook.com. 

About Tillamook County Creamery Association Founded in 1909 as a farmer-owned cooperative, Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) recently achieved the distinction as a Certified B Corporation® (B Corp™) and prides itself on its commitment to bringing to market the most consistent, best tasting, highest quality dairy products made in the most natural way possible. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves real food that makes them feel good every day, Tillamook® produces internationally recognized, award-winning cheese as well as exceptional ice cream, butter, cream cheese spreads, yogurt, and sour cream, made with unwavering values that never sacrifice or compromise quality for profit. TCCA is owned by a group of farming families, primarily based in Tillamook County, Oregon. TCCA operates production facilities in Tillamook and Boardman, Oregon and employs more than 900 people throughout the state. The Tillamook Creamery is the largest tourist attraction on the coast of Oregon and one of the most popular in the state, attracting more than one million visitors each year. For more information on TCCA and Tillamook, visit Tillamook.com. 

¹ https://swnsdigital.com/us/2020/01/majority-of-people-enjoy-the-food-more-than-the-football-game-at-a-super-bowl-party/

SOURCE Tillamook County Creamery Association

https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is a heated drink consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and usually a sweetener like whipped cream or marshmallows. Hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.

The first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the Maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD, by which they referred to as xocōlātl.^[2] The drink became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World and has undergone multiple changes since then. Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases.

Hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of Latin America, the very thick cioccolata calda served in Italy and chocolate a la taza served in Spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the United States. Prepared hot chocolate can be purchased from a range of establishments, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses and teahouses. Powdered hot chocolate mixes, which can be added to boiling water or hot milk to make the drink at home, are sold at grocery stores and online. (wikipedia)

Links:

National Day Calendar: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-hot-chocolate-day-january-31/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate

Visit our Food and Drink section: https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/