Final answer:
In summer, practice safe food handling by not leaving raw meat in the car and using proper methods to thaw meat, like refrigerator, cold water, or microwave. Cooked leftovers at room temperature for over two hours are unsafe, and melons should be washed before cutting due to bacteria on the rind.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the summer months, it is important to practice safe food handling to prevent foodborne illnesses. Raw meat should not be left in the car, as the heat can cause it to enter the danger zone (between 4 and 60 degrees C or 40 and 140 degrees F) where bacteria can multiply rapidly. Therefore, raw meat should not be left in the car for more than a very brief period; ideally, it should be taken directly from the store to your refrigerator or cooler.
To thaw raw meat, you should use safe methods that keep the meat out of the danger zone. The recommended methods include thawing slowly in the refrigerator, immersing it in cold water (changing the water every 30 minutes), or thawing it in the microwave. Thawing meat on the countertop at room temperature is not safe and can lead to bacterial growth.
Regarding the additional questions:
- It is not safe to eat cooked leftovers that have been stored at room temperature for more than two hours, even if heated well, due to potential bacterial growth.
- It is false that there is no need to wash a melon before cutting it, as the rind can harbor bacteria that transfer to the edible parts when cut.
- True, foodborne diseases can sometimes cause serious health repercussions.