BBQ Food Safety Tips: Enjoy Outdoor Dining Safely This Summer 

Planning a BBQ? Follow these simple food safety tips to keep outdoor dining safe and enjoyable all summer long.  Whether you’re cooking at home, packing a picnic or eating out, good food safety habits help reduce risks and make outdoor dining more enjoyable. The good news is that staying safe doesn’t need to be complicated.

Here are some simple BBQ food safety tips to help you enjoy summer food with confidence.

Keep Cold Food Cold

One of the biggest challenges during warm weather is keeping food at a safe temperature.

For picnics and outdoor gatherings:

• Use a cool bag or insulated box

• Include ice packs where possible

• Keep chilled food out of direct sunlight

• Return perishable foods to the cool bag after serving

Foods such as sandwiches, cooked meats, dairy products and salads should not be left sitting in the sun for long periods.

Separate Raw and Ready-to-Eat Foods

Raw meat can contain bacteria that can easily spread to other foods.

To avoid cross-contamination:

• Store raw meat separately from salads and other ready-to-eat foods

• Use separate containers when transporting food

• Keep raw meat sealed until you’re ready to cook it

• Wash hands after handling raw ingredients

This is particularly important when preparing food for children and vulnerable family members.

Cook BBQ Food Thoroughly

A BBQ may look cooked on the outside before it’s fully cooked in the middle.

When cooking:

• Check burgers, sausages and chicken are piping hot throughout

• Make sure there is no pink meat remaining

• Turn food regularly to ensure even cooking

• Avoid rushing food during busy periods

Taking a few extra minutes can help prevent an unpleasant end to a great day outdoors.

Defrosting Meat Properly  

If you’re planning ahead, remember that frozen meat should be fully defrosted before it goes on the BBQ.

To defrost safely:

• Defrost meat in the refrigerator wherever possible.
• Never leave meat to thaw on the kitchen worktop.
• Only cook from frozen if the packaging clearly states it is safe to do so.
• Plan ahead so food has enough time to thaw completely.

Don’t Forget Hand Hygiene

When you’re away from home, handwashing facilities may not always be available.

Consider bringing:

• Hand sanitiser

• Antibacterial wipes

• Bottled water for basic cleaning if needed

Clean hands before preparing food and before eating wherever possible.

Protect Food from Insects

Outdoor dining can attract flies, wasps and other insects.

Help keep food protected by:

• Covering food when it’s not being served.
• Keeping ready-to-eat foods covered wherever possible.
• Clearing away leftovers promptly.
• Keeping bins closed to discourage pests.

 Take Care with Leftovers

Once food has been sitting outside for a while, it may no longer be safe to keep.

It’s usually safest to:

• Discard food that has been left out in warm conditions for extended periods

• Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible

• Reheat food thoroughly if eating it later

When in doubt, it’s better to be cautious.

Eating Out Instead? Look for the Safe to Trade Logo

Not everyone wants to cook in the heat.

If you’re heading out for a meal instead, look for the Safe to Trade logo. It shows that a venue has been independently checked against the Safe to Trade Consumer Standard, including areas such as:

• Food safety and hygiene
• Allergen management
• Safe storage and handling
• Daily safety routines
• Guest communication

Find Trusted Venues with the Safe to Trade Register

Eating out this Summer?

Whether it’s brunch, lunch or a family treat, search above to find a venue you can trust.