Don’t let food poisoning ruin your Super Bowl party

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their Super Bowl rematch in New Orleans on Sunday, fans are gearing up for a night of football, food, and — if recent history is any indication — plenty of Taylor Swift sightings.

Whether you’re watching for the game, the commercials, or just to see if Swift makes another appearance to support Travis Kelce of the Chiefs, food safety should also be part of your game plan.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest food consumption days of the year, with an estimated 1.45 billion chicken wings expected to be eaten nationwide. That’s enough wings to fill every seat in all 30 NFL stadiums with nearly 700 wings each. But before you dig into those wings — or any other game-day favorite — be sure to follow key food safety rules to avoid an upset off the field.

Avoid the ‘Danger Zone’

Whether you’re serving takeout or home-cooked food, perishable items shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than two hours. The USDA warns that food left out in the “Danger Zone” (40 degrees F to 140 degrees F) can allow bacteria to multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. To keep your team safe:

• Keep hot foods at 140 degrees F or above in a warming tray, oven, or slow cooker.
• Keep cold foods at 40 degrees F or below by placing dishes on ice or refrigerating until serving.
• If you plan to keep food out all game long, bring out fresh servings at halftime.

Safe temps for chicken wings and more
Chicken wings are a Super Bowl staple, but undercooked poultry is a common culprit of foodborne illness. Ensure your wings hit a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F by using a food thermometer — checking multiple wings to confirm the entire batch is cooked.

Other game-day favorites have their own safe cooking temperatures:

• Ground meats: 160 degrees F
• Whole meats (beef, pork, lamb): 145 degrees F with a three-minute resting time before serving
• Leftovers and casseroles: 165 degrees F

Halftime: Clean and store leftovers
When the halftime show kicks off, it’s also the perfect time to start packing up food. Store leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate them promptly. If food has been left out for more than two hours, it’s time to throw it out.

As Swifties and football fans unite for the big game, don’t let a foodborne illness sideline your celebration. Whether you’re cheering for Kelce and the Chiefs, the Eagles’ revenge tour, or just here for Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance, a little food safety prep will ensure your party is a win.

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